The popular narrative suggesting regional people oppose renewable energy projects doesn’t stack up when the data unarguably shows the opposite.
Poll after poll after poll, from Porter Novelli, 89 Degrees East, CSIRO and more, all find huge support for local clean energy projects with opposition much less (but amplified by some media coverage and social media algorithms that promote conflict). Recent polling in April showed overall local support for clean energy projects at 63% and opposition at 17%. In coal regions, Hunter showed support of 60% and opposition at 17%, Gladstone showed support of 65% and opposition of 17%, and the Latrobe Valley showed support of 60% and opposition at 18%. In Illawarra the support was 68% and the opposition 12%, Central West Orana support was at 60% and opposition at 20%; in western Victoria the support was 69% and opposition was 12%. Even in New England, support held strong at 55% with opposition less than half that figure at 24%. Professor Rebecca Colvin’s peer-reviewed paper, published in Science Direct, finds that in addition to social media and media promoting conflict, people are more likely to speak up against things than for them.
Farmers for Climate Action represents 8000 farmers across Australia. Our “Billions in the Bush” report found Australian farmers are on track to make a billion dollars in total from clean energy rent by 2030. Modern solar contracts pay up to $1500 per hectare per year while the farmer continues to graze sheep underneath. Modern wind farms typically pay $40,000 per wind turbine per year in rent to the farmer, while cattle and sheep continue to graze around it.
Hosting solar and wind projects is entirely voluntary and how a farmer chooses to farm on their land is their choice. If farmers do not stay united around that principle, farming will become very difficult.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.