Tim McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (15:21): I want to again raise the absolute disrespect shown to our regional communities by the Carroll Labor government forcing solar factories into local farming communities. The bloody-minded approach of ‘renewable energy at any cost’ has driven local communities in the Ovens Valley and neighbouring electorates of Euroa and Shepparton to despair, as planning permits are issued at the Minister for Planning’s whim, who seems to make decisions based on self-interest rather than good planning evidence. A Liberal–Nationals government will review the planning rules and regulations around solar factory locations, which will consider community impacts. Our communities, like Meadow Creek, Dederang and others, deserve the respect of proper consultation, not a sham approach that is a tick-and-flick exercise that invariably ends up with a proponent getting the planning permit while the community gets shafted again. Renewable energy has a place in Victoria’s energy mix, but it should not come at the expense of ruining regional livelihoods. Near Glenrowan there are 3 million solar panels spread over 3000 hectares. This is a concrete jungle on steroids. While local communities are ignored, many solar factories are created, and then the cashed-up landowners move off farm and live happily ever after away from the eyesore, while neighbours are trapped in not a field of dreams but a sea of PV. Local councils are shut out, neighbours are ignored and communities are destroyed. A review of the planning laws and transparency is what we will deliver.