Advocacy

As a landowner and as a rural community you can be proactive in advocating for your rights. When community members work together, they are able to make better informed decisions.

Connect with us and others; keep up to date with current news on our socials Farms For Food.

So, you are sitting on a retention licence?

If you find out your land or land near you is covered by a retention licence, then you can do the following:

Meet with other landholders who are sitting on that licence to discuss what this means for you all- economically, environmentally and socially. It is important that all stakeholders are on the same page.
Investigate the regular reports the proponent distributes to its shareholders to keep up to date with any changes to the retention licence they hold or other projects near you.
Read other examples of EES assessments on mineral sands mines in your area to understand what they report on and how.
Start collecting information and data on your area relating to weather conditions, water sources, significant local flora and fauna, soil conditions, significant historical, cultural, indigenous or conservation areas. You could go as far as measuring current noise levels, background radiation levels or the presence of existing heavy metals in your crops. Keep a good record of crop yield and productivity.
Raise awareness in your community that the retention licence exists and what this could mean in the future, this can be done through social media, the local paper or calling a community meeting.
Raise awareness in your community about 'social licence' and how this is gained through donations and sponsorship. Many community organisations or committees are run on the goodwill of volunteers, and they do not have a donation policy in place. You could approach local committees and ask that they review or put in place a donations policy that reflects community values. Many committees are looking for donations to run community events or to make improvements to the town. Setting up a community fund is a way to keep local money local and independent.
Join online groups to seek advice and insight into other community experiences, such as Mine Free Mallee Farms, Mine Free Wimmera Farms, Mine-Free Glenaladale.
Seek legal advice before signing anything with a potential proponent.

Banner that says Farms For Food Not Mines

So, there is news of an energy park being planned near you?

You may have noticed signs and banners around the state, placed on farm gates and fences.
Many landholders are doing this to raise community awareness on issues that are important to them and to make a clear statement to prospective energy or mining companies.

Energy companies canvas interest in potential hosts by approaching land holders in a concentrated area. There are examples where there has been enough goodwill amongst neighbours where they have met and discussed the company's proposal and either decided to not go ahead with the project or they have worked as a collective to negotiate beneficial terms for all the landholders and neighbours. Prior to planning approval is the time that hosts have the greatest power to negotiate favourable terms for their community. This is not always possible due to the division between neighbours and hosts.
Investigate the regular reports the proponent distributes to its shareholders to keep up to date with any changes to the projects near you.
Read other examples of EES assessments on energy parks in your area to understand what they report on and how.
Start collecting information and data on your area relating to weather conditions, water sources, significant local flora and fauna, soil conditions, significant historical, cultural, indigenous or conservation areas. You could go as far as measuring current noise levels. If you have farm animals keep a record of their productivity or output.
Raise awareness in your community that the energy park is canvassing interest in your area and what this could mean in the future, this can be done through social media, the local paper or calling a community meeting.
Raise awareness in your community about 'social licence' and how this is gained through donations and sponsorship. Many community organisations or committees are run on the goodwill of volunteers, and they do not have a donation policy in place. You could approach local committees and ask that they review or put in place a donations policy that reflects community values. Many committees are looking for donations to run community events or to make improvements to the town. Setting up a community fund is a way to keep local money local and independent.
Join online groups to seek advice and insight into other community experiences, such as Diary of a Windfarm Neighbour, Wind Farm Living, No Forest Wind Factory for a start- there are many.
Seek legal advice before signing anything with a potential proponent.

Advocacy

So, you are sitting on a retention licence?

So, there is news of an energy park being planned near you?

You may have noticed signs and banners around the state, placed on farm gates and fences. Many landholders are doing this to raise community awareness on issues that are important to them and to make a clear statement to prospective energy or mining companies.

Farms For Food

You may have noticed signs and banners around the state, placed on farm gates and fences.
Many landholders are doing this to raise community awareness on issues that are important to them and to make a clear statement to prospective energy or mining companies.