Gippsland says the transition is going too fast, and will not pay a cent more for it
New polling finds cost and reliability outweigh emissions targets as concern grows over the pace of Victoria’s energy transition
Polling commissioned by Affordable Energy Australia (AEA) has found most energy consumers in Gippsland think the energy transition is going too fast and that affordable and reliable energy should be prioritised over emissions reduction.
The survey of 511 residents across the Gippsland, Bass and Pakenham electorates found 62 per cent believed the transition was progressing too quickly, including 48 per cent who said it was moving “much too quickly”.
Affordability emerged as the leading concern, with 51 per cent nominating affordable household and small business electricity bills as the most important priority for Victoria’s energy system.
Reliability ranked second at 20 per cent, while 12 per cent nominated emissions reduction as their main priority.
The polling also found 67 per cent of respondents would not accept any increase to their annual energy bill to speed up the transition. A further 13 per cent were willing to pay up to $50 more each year, while 13 per cent would accept an increase above $50.
Overall, 93 per cent expressed concern about the cost of electricity and gas.
Affordable Energy Australia spokesperson Zoe Hilton said the findings showed Gippsland consumers wanted affordability and reliability placed ahead of government emissions targets.
“The message is clear: Gippsland wants affordable power,” Ms Hilton said.
“Any policy that makes power more expensive will lose support from the Gippsland community, which is bearing the brunt of the energy transition.”
The region faces major changes, with Yallourn Power Station scheduled to close in 2028 and Loy Yang A in 2035.
Victoria is relying partly on offshore wind to replace existing generation, with legislated targets of two gigawatts by 2032, four gigawatts by 2035 and nine gigawatts by 2040.
However, the offshore wind rollout has encountered delays. The Star of the South project, proposed off the Gippsland coast, is now expected to be completed as late as 2037.
The Victorian Auditor-General has also warned the state’s two-gigawatt offshore wind target for 2032 is unlikely to be achieved.
The polling found 61 per cent wanted Victoria to prioritise affordable and reliable energy, even if reducing emissions took longer. Twenty-nine per cent supported balancing affordability, reliability and emissions reduction equally.
The research was conducted by Compass Polling in July 2026, with results weighted to reflect the surveyed electorates. Affordable Energy Australia is campaigning for a national energy plan that prioritises affordable, reliable and secure power.
