General News
14 September, 2026
Northwest 9 secures $1.3M
A campaign by the Northwest 9 council alliance has secured a $1.3 million State Government funding package to help communities prepare for the unprecedented growth, investment, challenges and opportunities being driven by renewable energy, mining and major infrastructure projects across the region.
Since early 2026, the alliance – which includes Horsham Rural City Council and Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Buloke, Northern Grampians and West Wimmera municipalities – has worked collectively to ensure governments understand both the challenges and opportunities facing communities at the centre of Victoria's renewable energy transition and critical minerals development.
That advocacy culminated in the release of the Resource Ready: North-Western Victoria Energy and Mining Impact and Readiness Strategy.
The strategy highlighted a pipeline of renewable energy projects, mining projects and major transmission projects across north-west Victoria, bringing into sharp focus the scale of change facing local communities.
It identified growing pressure on housing, transport networks, workforce accommodation, local infrastructure and council planning resources, and called for a coordinated government response to help communities navigate these changes and ensure councils are not left to manage the impacts alone.
The Victorian Government has now responded with a $1.3 million package to provide additional support for councils' planning capacity through the Regional Planning Hub program.
In addition, the government has committed to advancing studies to assess the impacts of major projects on transport and road networks, workforce accommodation, and related regional infrastructure requirements.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Brian Klowss said the funding was a significant step forward, “but it is not the end of the journey”.
“Resource Ready outlined 44 actions needed to help our region prepare for a once-in-a-generation economic transition,” he said.
“(The) announcement delivers progress on several of those priorities and gives us a strong foundation to continue advocating for the support our communities need to thrive.”
Hindmarsh Shire Council mayor Ron Ismay said although they were really just on the edge of the areas affected by the proposed projects, he said they would “see significant impacts on our local road network and stresses on housing, local labour markets, and I am sure other unforeseen consequences”.
“These projects have unfortunately become very divisive in our neighbouring councils, but we must do the best we can for our communities,” he said.
“This funding is vital to enable us to get the best outcome possible and plan for our Shire and region.
“We can't change Federal or State Government decisions. Victorians will have an opportunity in November and if there were to be change in government, we will regroup and work with future plans.”
Northern Grampians Shire Council deputy mayor Justine Hyde agreed about the ripple effects.
“The challenges and opportunities facing north-west Victoria don't stop at municipal boundaries,” she said.
“Our communities are experiencing the impacts of major energy, mining and infrastructure projects right now, and by advocating together we've been able to make a strong case for the support our region needs.”