Farmers blindsided by approval of 155-turbine wind farm ahead of election

The Victorian government has signed off on a large wind and battery project for the state's north, on the eve of entering caretaker mode ahead of this month's state election.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny signed off on a planning permit for the Meering West Wind Farm on Monday, just a day before the caretaker period came into effect.

The facility to be built at Meering West, about 140km north-west of Bendigo, would be one of Australia's largest, incorporating up to 155 wind turbines.

Construction on the project, which would deliver 1.3 gigawatts of generation capacity and 1,000 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, is due to start in 2029.

Like other similar facilities, it has been deeply controversial among local residents, with many farmers rallying against its approval.

The timing of the approval is further complicated by the facility's intention to tap into the VNI West transmission line, which is yet to be built and would be scrapped if the Victorian Coalition came to government.

Vocal critics 'not heard'

Tyler Nelson is one of many neighbouring farmers who have objected to the project.

He said he was not surprised the government had signed off on it at the last minute.

"I'm very disappointed, but at the same time I can't say I'm shocked with the behaviour of the Labor government," he said.

"It's well established that there are a lot of projects being rushed through at the 11th hour and there's been a pretty poor process involved for quite some time."

Mr Nelson said he and other neighbours had been unaware of the project until it was well advanced.

"Most neighbours and those affected found out pretty late in the piece, once there were contracts and caveats in place," he said.

Mr Nelson said more than 100 people had objected to the project, with concerns including noise, shadow, flicker, land devaluation, fire risk and impacts on the natural environment.

He said their objections and requests, including removing turbines from the project footprint close to objecting neighbours, had not been adopted.

A community divided

Mr Nelson was reluctant to comment on the community divisions the project had created.

"I've tried not to let it affect me, but it's difficult not to," he said.

"Communities that usually stand together and talk, when that's taken away, it seems a bit odd."

Given the Coalition has committed to scrap VNI West, Mr Nelson said he hoped there would be a change of government on November 28, but he was not convinced it would leave the Meering West project dead in the water.

"It would be nice to think that is the case, but what we're learning is we never know what's happening with backroom deals," he said.

"Yes, scrapping VNI West is a good move by the Coalition, but what does it mean for this project?

"It's my understanding that [project proponent Virya] will continue to develop on somehow, but I don't know what that looks like."

The Victorian government, Meering West Wind Farm representatives and developer Virya were contacted for comment.