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Agriculture, Farming & Rural
FCA

Western Victorian residents have their say on climate, energy

Farmers for Climate Action

  • Bushfires and heatwaves driving increased climate concern

  • Energy companies blamed for high bills, just 12% blame clean energy

  • Just 13% of Western Victoria residents polled oppose the shift to clean energy

Bushfires and heatwaves have driven increased concern about climate change in western Victoria, new polling has revealed.

Farmers for Climate Action has released the research, commissioned by the Renew Australia for All campaign, as it seeks to make sure the voices of regional Australia are heard. The polling of 202 Western Victorian residents was part of a broader poll of 1,965 residents across key renewable energy zones, with the polling completed on March 20 (polling tables attached). The research firm, 89 Degrees East, is a member of The Research Society of Australia.

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]

Warracknabeal wheat, barley and lentil farmer Phil Koschitzke said he was unsurprised local concern about climate change had increased.

“I’ve been farming here for 30 years and I’ve had 28 years of below average rainfall. If this is a result of something we’re doing, then we’re in deep trouble,” Mr Koschitzke said.

“Country people are fundamentally good people and they want to help out.

“We’re making a mess of this and our kids are going to have to deal with it. Renewables can be the next step forward. Maybe not the final answer, but the next step.

“I’m not pro-renewable energy, but I’m anti-stuffing the world up.”

FCA CEO Verity Morgan-Schmidt said the data showed 43% of Western Victoria residents polled had become more concerned about climate change in the past year.

"43% of those polled in Western Victoria have become more concerned about climate change in the past 12 months. Bushfires (85%), heatwaves (66%) and floods (63%) were the top answers when Western Victoria residents were asked what had made them more concerned about climate change," Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.

"Fifty-two per cent of Western Victoria residents blame energy company profiteering as the key reason for high energy bills. Others named global energy price spikes and coal power station breakdowns; just 12% thought clean energy was responsible.

"Some 70% of Western Victoria residents name solar as the "significant" energy source for the future, while 41% nominate onshore wind, 24% say gas, 21% say coal, with nuclear last at 20%."

"The data showed a striking gap between real and perceived support for clean energy in Western Victoria. Support for clean energy in Western Victoria remains strong at 66%, with 13% opposed, and 20% neither supporting nor opposing. Yet, only 46% of those polled said they thought there was majority support for clean energy in the region.

"Media and social media algorithms continue to promote conflict, and FCA continues to listen to farmers, not Facebook."

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Contact details:

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]