Public sessions on renewables link environment effects statement

PUBLIC information sessions for the controversial Western Renewables Link’s (WRL) Environment Effects Statement (EES) begin tomorrow and will continue at various locations until mid-August.

WRL proponent AusNet has scheduled drop-in sessions at eight locations, including Darley, Brown Hill and Creswick as the EES and an associated draft planning scheme amendment remain open for comment until 22 August.

Moorabool Shire Council has organised its own sessions in conjunction with the Western Victoria Community Alliance to help people understand the EES and prepare their submissions.

The Shire has also developed downloadable guides, which are available on its website.

“The amount of information in the EES will leave many people feeling overwhelmed,” mayor Cr Paul Tatchell said.

“It is vital that impacted community members consider providing submissions to share how this project will continue to affect them if it goes ahead.

“Council has developed guides on upcoming community sessions in Moorabool Shire, and an example EES submission structure to help get our community members started.”

About 60 kilometres of the project’s transmission lines will pass through the Shire, from its eastern boundary to the west, and the Shire has been involved in the EES planning process since 2021 as a member of the technical reference group.

 

The community alliance-Shire sessions started last night at the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh.

Others will be held from 4pm to 7.30pm on Thursday 31 July at the Myrniong Hall in Short Street, Myrniong, and from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 2 August at the Ballan council chambers in Stead Street, Ballan.

Volunteers will be present at the sessions to help people with structuring and lodging submissions.

The AusNet sessions, meanwhile, are from 4pm to 8pm on 1 August at the Darley Park Community and Sports Centre on Fitzroy and Grey streets, from 12pm to 3pm on 9 August at the Brown Hill Hall in Humffray Street, Brown Hill, and from 4pm to 8pm on 13 August at the Creswick Town Hall in Albert Street, Creswick.

The EES and draft planning scheme amendment are on display at various locations in the region and also on the project website at westernrenewableslink.com.au/ees.

Landowners are vehemently opposed to the WRL, which proposes a 190-kilometre overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west.

Their anger has been heightened with the recent introduction to State Parliament of the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025, which reportedly will allow forced entry onto properties and fines of up to $12,200 for landowners who do not cooperate.

The bill is due to go back before Parliament before the end of this month.