Originally published by Andrew Miller of Stock & Land
28.02.2026
A Victorian lobby group says wind turbines should be shut down on catastrophic fire danger days.
Across Victoria Alliance committee member Cate Lancashire said wind turbines were machinery, just like tractors, headers, grinders and chainsaws, which were all banned on catastrophic fire danger days.
“If there is a catastrophic fire day, there are paddock bans for machinery operation and there is absolutely no reason why wind turbines should be excluded from that,” Ms Lancashire said.
“Most farmers are savvy enough to understand that any machinery has the potential to start a fire, so therefore they respect those bans.”
She said she would like to think there was “respect and understanding” around the fact turbines were machinery and on a catastrophic fire day they should not be operating.
“The big corporates tend to play their own game,” she said.
“I don’t know it is a higher risk, but any piece of machinery has the potential to malfunction or fail, and wind turbines have no exemption from that.
“Bearings may heat up and potentially ignite, which could potentially drop sparks, leading to fires.”
Barunah Park sheep producer Russell Coad said it appeared hypocritical that the CFA could stop farmers from using equipment on catastrophic fire days, but not wind farms.
“It’s a bit of a contradiction,” he said.
“We’ve seen the tragedy of what has happened on these really bad days.”
Mr Coad said it would also be hard to control a fire if it started around the base of a wind turbine tower.
“You have to wait until to comes out before you can start attacking it,” he said.
“Aerial firefighting is very restricted when a fire is among a wind farm.”
Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance spokesperson Cam Walker sought to debunk claims that turbines needed to be closed down on catastrophic fire days.
“That’s a furphy and incorrect,” he said.
“The risk with agricultural equipment, of course, is coming into direct contact with dry grass.
“That doesn’t happen with a turbine, because the nacelle is well up in the air.”
He said on “super hot days” everyone had their air conditioning on, so there was a vast demand for electricity.
“So if the turbines are working, why would we shut them off if there is no fire risk?” he said.
He said turbines could be shut down immediately if there were any issues.
A Country Fire Authority spokesperson said the organisation considered a range of factors and worked with several government agencies in regards to fire risks on catastrophic days.
“There is no evidence to suggest that wind turbines create a higher risk on a catastrophic danger day,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, two south-west mayors met with State Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny recently to speak about wind farms.
Corangamite Shire mayor Kate Makin and Moyne Shire mayor Jordan Lockett told Ms Kilkenny renewable energy development must be strategic, properly planned and aligned with designated renewable energy zones, not driven purely by grid proximity.
“We put it to her that the consultation processes have to be realistic and respectful, especially during the dire danger period when communities are focused on protecting lives and livelihoods,” Cr Makin said.
“The whole process needs to be put on pause while our communities recover from bushfires, not rushed through while people are preoccupied with immediate needs.
“We also called on the minister to ensure there are ongoing community benefits by building conditions into planning approvals that leave a lasting legacy for our residents, rather than companies disrupting local lives and businesses, then just leaving once they’ve made their money.”
Cr Lockett said the councils were grateful for the opportunity to explain to Ms Kilkenny how communities would be affected by the proposed Swansons Lane and Mumblin wind farms.
“Our visit was all about giving voice to the concerns of our residents, farmers and agriculture businesses, and we will continue to advocate on their behalf,” he said.
