Planning and Environment Amendment (Agricultural Land and Food Security) Bill 2026

What the bill says it does

The main purposes of this Act are— (a) to amend the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in relation to the protection of agricultural land in Victoria— (i) to require responsible authorities to consider agricultural land matters and to consult with Agriculture Victoria before making certain decisions; and (ii) to require a person with agricultural expertise to be appointed to advisory committees or panels appointed to consider projects affecting agricultural land; and (iii) to provide for the issue of rehabilitation bonds to facilitate the rehabilitation of agricultural land; and (b) to amend the Environment Effects Act 1978 to require the appointment of a person with agricultural expertise in an inquiry held under that Act in respect of public works affecting agricultural land.

Quoted from: Purpose clause of the bill as introduced. Not written or edited by FOCUp.

Official sources

• Parliament of Victoria: this bill
• Introduction print – Bill (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Bill (PDF)

Timeline

1. First reading passed — Legislative Council

   11 Aug 2026

2. First reading: Statements of compatibility tabled — Legislative Council

   12 Aug 2026 · Source

3. Second reading moved — Legislative Council

   12 Aug 2026 · Source

Election commitments on the same subject

Matched by shared budget line and wording. A match does not mean this bill delivers the commitment.

• Conduct audits of Victoria’s agricultural land · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 26 July 2026
• Repeal compulsory land acquisition laws · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 26 July 2026
• Energy Security Requirement · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 26 July 2026
• Retract fines given to farmers for blocking renewable energy contractors from accessing their land · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 26 Aug 2026
• Develop a Victorian Food Sovereignty Plan · Victorian Greens · 30 July 2026