Council
31 October, 2025
Horsham council submits concerns about energy park
Economic and societal changes facing the Horsham Rural City Council due to the recently announced Renewable Energy Zones in the region and renewable and mining projects planned for the Wimmera were highlighted in a council submission to the Warracknabeal Energy Park environmental effects study inquiry.
Neighbouring municipalities, HRCC and Yarriambiack, have made submissions outlining their concerns about the impacts on local communities.
HRCC concerns included the impacts this project, along with numerous other renewable and mining projects in the Wimmera region, would have on worker accommodation, employment, and municipal road use.
Councillors endorsed the submission at the October 2025 council meeting.
“Horsham has a number of developed and planned renewable energy facilities in the region, and three mineral sand mines under development,” said acting mayor Brian Klowss.
“Our Rural City plays a key role in servicing and accommodating these major projects, and their cumulative impact presents challenges for the municipality.
“It is important we raise our concerns on behalf of our community in the appropriate manner and advocate for local solutions.”
Cr Cam McDonald moved the successful motion.
"I congratulate our CEO, Gail Gatt, on her fantastic work in preparing this submission," he said.
"HRCC is seen as a powerhouse in advocacy in these matters, which is something to be acknowledged."
On seconding the motion, Cr Rebecca Sluggett said the submission highlighted HRCC's support, and it was important for the project to be seen through a local lens.
If approved, the proposed WEP would be the largest wind facility in Australia, incorporating 219 wind turbines, situated about 58km north of Horsham and five kilometres west of Warracknabeal.
HRCC councillors considered the impact of major construction projects on existing challenges within the municipality, relating to social and affordable housing, and short-term accommodation.
The recommendation highlighted the tight labour market and the small pool of available workers in the region.
"This poses a substantial risk to the growth potential across all industries in the region if significant workforce shortages are not addressed and demand for new housing cannot be met," it stated.
A further concern raised in the submission was the use of council roads during the construction process of the energy park.
"Construction of the Energy Park will require components of the turbines (excluding wind blades) to be transported from Portland and through the lengths of HRCC using Council roads, rather than arterial roads, impacting local and regional traffic movements and road use, " the submission states.
The council's submission to the EES calls on both state and federal governments, and project proponents, to make the strategic investment required to ensure Horsham and the broader region are ready for this energy and mining transition.
For background, HRCC currently hosts the SEC Renewable Energy Park, the Horsham Energy Hub, and the Wimmera Plains Energy Facility.
The Wimmera region hosts the Murra Warra Wind Farm and other energy projects under development in the region, in addition to the WEP, including the Murra Warra Battery and the Campbells Bridge, Wilkur, and the Curyo Wind Farms.
In addition to the renewable projects, three mineral sand mines are planned for the region, with one already under construction.
HRCC has requested the opportunity to be a party at the Inquiry hearing of the WEP EES.
The Yarriambiack Shire Council's response to the EES Inquiry was prepared with consultation between the council and several parties.
"To ensure Council’s response accurately reflected community and Council interests, a planning consultant from Approval Partners was engaged to review the EES and identify key issues for consideration," CEO Tammy Smith said.
"Additionally, Proud Mary Consulting Pty Ltd was commissioned to prepare a formal submission to the EES inquiry on behalf of council.
"Water Technology was tasked with reviewing the Surface Water component of the EES, and Maddocks Lawyers are engaged to review the final submission and represent council during the inquiry process.
"YSC’s concerns with the WEP EES are set out in the submission and fall into ten key themes," she said.
These included the impacts on neighbouring properties, Worker accommodation, Employment and skills, Roads, Quarry Materials, Decommissioning, Rates, Water and Drainage, Warracknabeal Airport, and Bushfires.
The public exhibition period for the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the Warracknabeal Energy Park was open from August 18 to September 30, 2025.
More than 90 submissions were lodged directly to the EES process.