Tuesday, 30 September 2025
- 28% of Australia is subject to gas exploration and applications
- Farmers do not get the right to stop gas and coal developments
- Clean energy is voluntary for farmers and makes farmland more productive
Farmers for Climate Action notes new maps of possible clean energy projects, with FCA CEO Natalie Collard also noting vast amounts of Australia are covered by proposed coal and gas projects.
“Around 28% of Australia’s land mass, or more than 200 million hectares, is subject to gas exploration or applications. Farmers often don’t get to say ‘no thanks’ to coal seam gas like they can to clean energy,” Ms Collard said.
“For perspective, there are 369 million hectares of farmland in Australia according to official figures.
“Farmers are going to court to stop the Hunter Gas Pipeline going across their land against their will. For years farmers have opposed coal seam gas projects which have steamrolled them without their consent.
“We wonder whether existing coal and gas projects should deliver community benefits funds to bring them into line with renewable energy projects’ requirements.
“Every new coal mine or gas project hurts your local farmers a little more, your local river a little more, your local beach a little more, the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef a little more, the ocean off South Australia a little more. Ignoring climate change is a threat to our farmers and our food supply.”
By contrast, renewables done right are a choice to make farmland more profitable and help keep the farm in the family.
“Mapping where clean energy projects which can increase the profitability of farmland can be quite useful,” Ms Collard said.
“We support clean energy projects so long as they support communities and are kind to nature.
“We uphold a farmer’s right to decide whether to host clean energy or not. We back farmers who choose to host clean energy and we back those who choose not to.
“Hosting clean energy for income is voluntary, unlike coal and gas developments on farmland which often happen against the farmer’s will.
“Every clean energy partnership with a farming family happens because that family chooses it. What farmers do on their land is their business.
“Clean energy makes farmland more profitable and productive, creates a double income from the land and the drought-proof income helps keep the farm in the family. Sheep graze under solar panels and cattle farming, sheep farming and cropping continues around wind turbines.
“In many cases, solar has meant higher carrying capacity and better wool from the sheep, as has been the case for Tony Inder in Wellington and Tom Warren in Dubbo.
“Criticising farmers who choose to supplement their income with drought-proof clean energy payments divides our communities.”
Media contact:
Les White
0409805122
