Council
8 July, 2026
Riordan slams Mumblin approval
MEMBER for Polwarth Richard Riordan has called out the state government for having “demonstrated its contempt for regional Victoria” following Mumblin Wind Farm being approved recently.
The approval came despite concerns raised by Corangamite Shire Council, emergency services stakeholders and Cobden residents.
Mr Riordan said the concerns raised were not considered as the proposal was streamlined by the state government.
“It is another example of the Allan Labor Government deciding it knows better than the people who actually live and work in our region,” he said.
“Corangamite Shire Council had identified significant deficiencies in the application, yet the minister signed off on the project before council even had the opportunity to formally reiterate its concerns.
“That shows complete disrespect for the local planning process.”
Corangamite Shire Council had identified serious shortcomings in the application, including inadequate assessment of impacts on prime dairy farming land, bushfire risk in an area with a history of major fires, aviation safety around the Cobden Aerodrome, threatened wildlife and native vegetation and transport and road impacts.
Community consultation levels also fell below, the government’s wind energy guidelines.
Council has now voted to commission a legal review of the minister’s decision, particularly regarding the aviation impact assessment.
“When a local council describes technical reports as incomplete, contradictory and deficient, any responsible planning minister should pause and ensure every concern has been properly addressed - not rush to approve the project,” he said.
Mr Riordan said the decision was especially concerning given the strategic importance of the Cobden Aerodrome, which supports firefighting aircraft, air ambulance operations and other emergency services across south west Victoria.
“The community has every right to expect aviation safety and emergency response capability to be thoroughly assessed before irreversible decisions are made,” he said.
Mr Riordan said the government’s use of the Development Facilitation Program had further undermined public confidence by removing normal avenues of review.
“The Allan Labor Government has increasingly relied on planning pathways that centralise decisions in Melbourne while limiting opportunities for communities to challenge them,” he said.
“This has never been about opposing renewable energy – it has always been about getting the balance right.”
Mr Riordan said the Coalition’s commitment to stronger planning protections for future renewable energy developments reflects exactly what communities have been asking for greater respect, greater transparency, restoration of a fair objection and appeals process and planning rules that put regional Victorians back at the centre of decision-making.
“The lesson from Mumblin is clear: governments must listen first, not simply announce decisions after the fact,” he said.
“The people of south-west Victoria deserve a planning system that respects local voices rather than overriding them.”
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