General News
29 May, 2025
Victorian Transmission Plan released
The Victorian Government has released the draft Victorian Transmission Plan which identifies the areas that the State Government considers the most suitable for new proposed renewable energy zones and the necessary transmission projects as the state's coal-fired power stations close down.
The draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan contains:-
• Draft proposed renewable energy zones – the 7 areas across the state most suitable to host new renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar, and storage.
• A draft proposed Gippsland Shoreline Renewable Energy Zone – a limited area where offshore wind developers will need to locate onshore infrastructure to connect their projects to the grid.
• Proposed transmission projects needed over 2025-2040, to enable development of renewable energy zones and offshore wind farms.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Kylie Zanker noted that, “there are two renewable energy zones (REZ) that are proposed to cross into our Shire, the Wimmera Southern Mallee and the Grampians Wimmera REZ”.
“It is important that the Community review those zones, along with the likely scale of generation in each REZ," she said.
“I encourage the community to visit the Community engagement hubs established or to provide feedback via the Feedback Form available on the Engage Vic website."
VicGrid has opened community hubs in proposed renewable energy zone locations across Victoria.
• Grampians Wimmera Renewable Energy Zone: Stawell VicGrid Hub, Grampians Community Health, 8-22 Patrick St, Stawell, Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
• Wimmera Southern Mallee Renewable Energy Zone: Horsham VicGrid hub, Centre For Participation, 39 Urquhart St, Horsham, Tuesdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Cr Zanker said Yarriambiack Shire Council will be making a submission and providing feedback in regard to the Draft Transmission Plan.
"We will be seeking clarification regarding the Curyo Windfarm (up to 1000 MW) and the Wilkur Energy Park (up to 776 MW) not being within the footprint of a REZ," she said.
"We wish to understand if those projects will still be considered, given the uncertainty these proposed projects place on our community."
Cr Zanker said both projects had initiated Environmental Effects Statement (EES) processes.
"The commencement of these EES processes has imposed limitations on farming communities regarding the development of certain areas of their land," she said.
"The Grampians Wimmera REZ and the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ are each planning to generate between 320 and 480 MW of new wind energy.
"In contrast, the energy parks planned for Yarriambiack Shire are significantly larger.
"The Campbells Bridge project is set to produce 1000 MW, and the Warracknabeal Energy Park will generate 1650 MW.
"We seek to understand the implications for these large-scale projects, specifically whether their capacities will be reduced. Given the maximum megawatts identified, we anticipate that the number of prospectors in these areas will decrease substantially."
“We also wish to understand what it means for the private transmissions projects, where does that leave the WiRES project planned within our Shire?
"As a Council, we have observed the anxiety and concern that proposed projects have caused among our community members. We seek clarity from the Victoria Transmission Plan so that our community can comprehend its impacts."
On January 29, Yarriambiack Shire councillors endorsed their position statement on mining, renewable energy, and transmission lines, showing unanimous agreement.
The Yarriambiack Shire does not have authority over the transition, nor are they the approving
body for mineral sand mining and renewable energy projects, which are causing community
concern.
“However, council will continue to advocate for legislative reforms to ensure that community members residing close to mining, transmission, and renewable energy infrastructure are considered, and their health, wellbeing, and the social cohesion of our community are taken into account," Cr Zanker said.
Yarriambiack Shire Council has also compiled information and resources relating to significant projects within the shire, including Council's Position Statement on Mining, Renewable Energy and Transmission Lines and are available at State Projects - Yarriambiack Shire Council.