VicGrid held the sessions at the Dookie Recreation Reserve across three evenings in early May to address concerns about the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone, with many questions taken on notice and written responses not released until a month later.
Energy and Resources Minister Lily D'Ambrosio declared five REZs across regional Victoria on May 29, with Central North the only proposed zone still without a declaration.
VicGrid confirmed the formal consultation process had not yet opened and said it was working with the Victorian Government to finalise a timeline.
The sessions laid bare deep community anxiety about what the zone could mean for local farming land.
Residents pressed VicGrid on whether land could be compulsorily acquired, with VicGrid saying it was aware of no such instances in Victoria and that statutory powers would only be used as a last resort.
Questions about prime agricultural land were also prominent, with attendees asking why productive farming country was being targeted when non-arable land existed elsewhere.
VicGrid said REZ selection had deliberately avoided high-value agricultural areas including horticulture and irrigated dairy, but made no comment regarding Dookie's highly productive and unique soils.
Residents also raised concerns about overseas developers taking profits offshore, environmental impacts and the mental health toll on affected communities.
VicGrid confirmed landholders retained the right to choose whether to host projects.
Consultation is expected later this year, with no confirmed dates.
Jodie Fleming from the Protect Dookie group said the written responses left much to be desired.
"I think it is fair to say that in 36 pages there are a lot of words, with no real substance," she said.
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