Friends of the Earth welcomes today’s much anticipated announcement that Victoria’s Carroll government will kick off the first offshore wind auction in the country, saying it marks the beginning of a new industry that will transform the state’s energy system.

“This is the critical next step for offshore wind to make this new industry a reality in Victoria and deliver on the promise of regional jobs and climate action” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth’s renewable energy spokesperson.

The auctions will provide the certainty needed for projects to ultimately proceed to final investment decision, construction and operation.

3 Aug 2026

KEY FACTS

• Citizen science events at 20 + locations across Australia's High Country to take place this August. Popular locations include Mt Hotham (for the Australian Backcountry Festival August 29 & 30), Mt Buller and Thredbo.
  

• Snow Gum woodlands face ecological collapse, despite their importance as the defining vegetation of the Australian High Country.
  

• Listing Snow Gum species under federal environment laws via the EPBC Act would enable national coordination and boost research and funding to save Snow Gums. 

The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, the Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and the State Electricity Commission (SEC) has announced today that she is retiring from politics.

Friends of the Earth acknowledges her vision, her remarkable commitment to her portfolios and her achievements in transforming energy supply in the state. Her achievements have ensured that the Victorian government has been a national leader in energy policy and climate action.

“Victoria had an old and dirty energy system when Lily was appointed to her role as minister. When Labor came to power in 2014, Victoria was largely reliant on brown coal for energy generation. With D’Ambrosio as Minister, successive Victorian Labor governments have helped the state reach more than 40% renewable energy.

18/06/2026

The Parliament of Victoria’s Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee has released the report from its Inquiry into decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure. 

Friends of the Earth Melbourne commends the report for recommending that significant obligations be placed on fossil fuel companies to clean up their old offshore oil and gas infrastructure.

15/4/26

MEDIA RELEASE: Community members stop destruction of snow gums at Mt Macedon

This morning 20 community members walked onto the site at Mt Macedon where destruction of snow gum forest is underway to halt tree felling and demand an urgent intervention by Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos.

The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee has been pushing to cut down Snow Gums to ‘restore’ historic views of Melbourne from the Memorial Cross on the summit of the mountain. 

‘The works will clear almost 0.8 hectares of a nationally significant and highly threatened ecosystem - Montane Grassy Woodland - simply for aesthetics,’ said Anna Langford, Friends of the Earth Melbourne campaigner.

The Federal Government just approved a new gas terminal — and we're furious!

We are deeply disappointed — and frankly furious — at the Federal Government's unjust decision to approve Viva Energy's LNG import terminal in Geelong!

This is a terrible decision, at the worst possible time.

Scientists from leading institutions gathered at the Snow Gum Summit in Jindabyne last weekend March 14-15, 2026 to discuss combating the loss of an iconic tree of the Australian Alps, the Snow Gum. 

Photo credits: Matt Tomkins.

Wednesday January 7, 2026

In what environment group Friends of the Earth Melbourne has called a tone deaf move, the Victorian Coalition has launched a pro fossil gas campaign in the middle of the worst fire conditions the state has experienced since Black Summer. 

In the major advertising campaign, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals have announced that ‘We will reverse Labor's ban on gas’ if elected at the Victorian State Election in November.

Jobs, Affordable Energy, and Local Renewal

Friends of the Earth’s Yes2Renewables campaign has welcomed the State Electricity Commission’s (SEC) announcement of the purchase of the Delburn Wind Farm. The Delburn Wind Farm will overlook the Hazelwood Power Station and mine site, in the Latrobe Valley, which was closed in 2017. The project is scheduled to begin early in 2026. 

Wendy Farmer, Yes2Renewables Gippsland Organiser said “this milestone marks a major step toward and will deliver cheaper, cleaner energy for Victoria while ensuring that Latrobe Valley communities directly share in the benefits”.

“The SEC has a proud history in Victoria, once known for doing things differently—innovative, progressive, and committed to the public good. The privatisation of the Latrobe Valley power stations in the 1990s shifted energy from public ownership to private international control, leaving the Latrobe Valley with deep social and economic scars. Today’s announcement signals a new chapter: one of renewed public ownership, and renewal fairness”.

September 16, 2025

Friends of the Earth is disappointed to learn that the Victorian government’s first offshore wind auction will once again be delayed, as announced this morning by Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio at the Asia Pacific Wind Energy Summit in Melbourne.