Western Renewables Link

Project Overview

AusNet Services (AusNet) is planning a 190 km overhead high voltage transmission line from Sydenham to Bulgana known as Western Renewables Link, formerly named the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project. Moorabool Shire is earmarked for 60 km of the 500kV line from the eastern boundary to the west. Council is active in the planning process for the project, advocating for good community outcomes. This includes investigating options for the line to be put underground, the Green andUnseen campaign,consistentcorrespondence with decision-makers and hosting education sessions with technical experts to help empower our community.

Please note that this is not a Council led project. Feedback should be directed to AusNet Services.

Community Sessions

Council has held several successful community sessions since 2020, as part of a series inviting technical experts to share their knowledge with the public on the many complexities of the project. The most recent session focused on how to prepare a strong submission to the Western Renewables Link’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) when it is exhibited for public comment in early-2023, and how the process itself will work.

All sessions were recorded and can be accessed via the YouTube hyperlinks in the 'Past sessions' tab.

Who do you want to hear from?

Do you have a topic or agency you would like to hear from? Send us your ideas here.

Council requested the following parties to speak with the community however our invitations were respectfully declined:
- CFA
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning - Energy Strategy Division
- Energy Networks Australia
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)

Missed a session or want a recap? We have hosted several online community sessions since 2020 in relation to the Western Renewables Link.

  • Preparing a submission to an Environment Effects Statement (EES) public review
    Presented by Louise Hicks, Barrister, and Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
    Wednesday 9 March 2022
    Watch the recording
     
  • Update on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process
    Presented by Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
    Thursday 11 November 2021, 6-7pm
    Watch the recording
     
  • Understanding Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in Western Victoria
    Presented by Ben Ferguson, Director, Renewable Energy Zones Development Branch at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
    Thursday 25 November 2021, 6-7pm
    Watch the recording
     
  • Understanding the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process
    Presented by Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
    Wednesday 23 September 2020
    Watch the recording
    Additional Q&A - DELWP
    Additional Q&A - AusNet Services
     
  • Understanding compulsory land acquisition and compensation
    Presented by Tony Rutherford, Shaun Whittaker and Jackson Dyer from Mills Oakley Law Firm
    Thursday 8 October 2020
    Watch the recording
     
  • Energy Safe Victoria Part 1 - Safety and High Voltage Transmission Lines
    Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
    Wednesday 21 October 2020
    Watch the recording
    Additional Q&A - Energy Safe Victoria
     
  • Energy Safe Victoria Part 2 - Farming and High Voltage Transmission Lines
    Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
    Thursday 3 December 2020
    Watch the recording
     
  • AEMO explains RiT-T and findings
    Presented by Tony Chappel, Alex Wonhas, Greg Thorpe and Alistair Parker
    Wednesday 9 December 2020
    Watch the recording