Rural voters in northern Victoria consider change amid anger over roads and renewables

Rural voters in northern Victoria are expressing growing discontent with the current government, citing frustration over poor road conditions and the rapid expansion of renewable energy projects. This sentiment is reflected in the decision of Darren Connelly, a 60s-aged earthmoving operator and former president of the local racing club, to join the One Nation party for the first time in his life.

"They could put a blue heeler as the candidate, and I'd still vote for them," Mr. Connelly said, highlighting his dissatisfaction with traditional politicians. "You've got shiny arse-polish bloody professional politicians. They say one thing and do another."

The Murray Plains electorate, which has been a Nationals stronghold since the 1980s, is now up for grabs as the local member retires at the November state election after 24 years. One Nation hopes to capitalize on the mood for change with their candidate, Garner Smith, who is currently the Gannawarra Shire mayor.

Cr Smith plans to step aside as mayor on September 30 and has asked for his council allowance to be suspended, although he will remain a councillor. The party has not provided detailed responses to questions about his campaign.

In nearby Swan Hill, there's tension between the old guard and the new. John Forrest, a former long-serving Nationals MP, warned the party's candidate, Brett Hosking, that he will face a tough battle to hold the seat. "There's no such thing as a safe seat, let me assure you. And that's the reason why Hanson's getting so much popularity, because they're really cheesed off; they've been neglected for too long."

Mr. Hosking, a fifth-generation mixed farmer who recently stepped down as the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, says he has a plan to support rural communities and will fight hard for them. "Full disclosure, I can't go home at night without fighting for it," he said.

Local residents, such as Ash and Bec Marshall, are concerned about the impact of renewable energy projects on their properties. The Marshalls, grain growers in Normanville, are worried about the potential noise and light flicker from planned wind turbines.

"It's actually really confronting. It's probably the biggest change since clearing of land for agricultural use," Mr. Marshall said. The family fears the impact of the VNI West transmission line, which will cut through one of their smaller properties.

Both One Nation and the Coalition have pledged to scrap VNI West if elected in November, a decision welcomed by the Victorian Farmers Federation but criticized by environmental groups.