VicGrid has held over 60 community sessions to speak about the Draft 2025 Transmission Plan. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Over the past eight weeks, VicGrid has conducted community consultations across the region regarding its Draft 2025 Victoria Transmission Plan.
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The plan outlines Victoria’s projected demand for additional wind and solar energy over the next 15 years and proposes specific locations for future Renewable Energy Zones.
A large portion of Campaspe Shire and neighbouring communities will fall into the proposed central north REZ, one of seven proposed energy zones across the state.
VicGrid chief executive officer Alistair Parker said input from the community was integral to the success of the plan.
“This is a new approach and we’re really listening to farmers and local communities so we can minimise impacts and share benefits more fairly,” he said.
“The Victorian Transmission Plan is about building the right amount of energy infrastructure in the right place at the right time to keep the lights on as coal closes down.
“We need the input of local people to get this right, so we were really grateful that people took the time to come along to these sessions to ask questions and have their say.”
The plan is still in the early stages of VicGrid’s engagement road map.
VicGrid has held more than 60 community sessions across regional Victoria during the consultation period.
There were also seven webinar sessions where people could ask questions and many meetings held with regional stakeholders, landholders, Traditional Owners and industry representatives.
During the sessions, community members had the chance to give direct feedback on the plan and ask questions.
Much of the feedback heard from communities that fall into the central north REZ included concerns around the potential impact of renewable energy development on agriculture, especially on irrigated farmland.
The impacts on the landscape and land values were also a common concern.
Others highlighted the importance of protecting the natural environment and how infrastructure might affect natural floodwater movement.
Community members also shared stories about experiences with past renewable energy and mining projects proposed in the region and their negative experiences of engaging with developers.
The Elmore community session on Wednesday, June 18 was well attended.
Runnymede farmer Wilma Capewell was one of many farmers who attended the VicGrid drop-in session in Elmore on Wednesday, June 18.
Ms Capewell said she had many concerns about the use of prime agricultural land for renewable energy development.
“We’re in the Shire of Campaspe, which in 2021 came in the top 10 of agricultural producing areas in Australia, and they want to put solar farms here,” she said.
“We’ve got some of the best agricultural land and we’re losing it ... there’s poorer quality land and this area isn’t known as a windy area.
“Some farmers are (selling land) for the money, but the contracts are long, but there’s no mention of how they’re going to get rid of the solar panels or the wind farms when the contract ends.”
The final day to provide feedback on the plan is Tuesday, June 24.
After submissions close, VicGrid will then use all the feedback gathered throughout the consultation period to inform the final plan, which will be released later this year.
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