Western Renewables Link

Overview

AusNet Services (AusNet) is planning a 190 km overhead high voltage transmission line in western Victoria. Moorabool Shire is earmarked for 60 km of the 500kV line from the eastern boundary to the west. Council is active in the planning process for the project, advocating for good community outcomes. This includes investigating options for the line to be put underground, the Green and Unseen campaign, consistent correspondence with decision-makers and hosting education sessions with technical experts to help empower our community.

Latest news

  • Moorabool Shire releases a statement about the setback distances for impacted properties on the Western Renewables Link (WRL) alignment (1 September 2023).
  • Council’s community session recording: 'Preparing a submission to an Environment Effects Statement public review' is available to view now on YouTube.
  • We have hosted several sessions with technical experts to help empower the community: view the recordings below and visit our Council's Have Your Say webpage to submit your ideas for future topics and guest speakers.

Project background

What is the project?

AusNet Services (AusNet) has been awarded the contract to design and seek planning permission for 190 km of new overhead high voltage transmission lines from Sydenham to Bulgana, a new terminal station to the north of Ballarat and several electricity infrastructure upgrades across western Victoria. 

Adjustments to the final alignment of the transmission line were announced in August 2022, with Moorabool Shire proposed to host almost 60 km of the 500 kV transmission lines from the far west border through to the east in the northern half of the Shire. AusNet are currently finalising their impact investigations for consideration by the State Government. 

Subscribe to the project website to receive regular updates: westernrenewableslink.com.au/

Project approvals

AusNet Services is preparing an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Western Renewables Link (formerly named the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project), as mandated by the Minister for Planning in August 2020.

The Minister for Planning issued the final scoping requirements in December 2020 which broadly outline the issues that AusNet Services must address in the EES. 

Read the Environmental Effects Statement Scoping Requirements.(DOCX, 1MB)

Read the Environment Effects Statement Scoping FAQs.(DOCX, 2MB)

Once completed, an inquiry will consider the EES and submissions, conduct a public hearing and report in writing to the Minister, who will then make their assessment and provide it to decision-makers for consideration.  

The project is also classified as a ‘controlled action’ under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and assessments will be managed by the State Government under this Bilateral Agreement.

Council involvement and undergrounding

What is Council doing? 

We are advocating for the State and Federal governments to address community concerns, urging decision-makers to put the transmission line underground, participating as stakeholders on the project’s Technical Reference Group and providing transparent information to the public.  

Advocating for policy change 

In June 2022, motions submitted by Moorabool Shire Council to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) were adopted at the National General Assembly and State Council meeting respectively.

The motions advocate for reforming the regulatory process for major transmission network projects, calling on the state and federal governments to develop policies for:

  1. Conducting and integrating community engagement findings when planning for and delivering renewable energy high-voltage transmission projects.
  2. Ensuring all future high-voltage transmission projects will be required to investigate the lowest social, environmental and economic impact technologies and design options available.

Council will continue to advocate for all levels of government to work together to achieve Australia’s renewable energy transition without unacceptable burden on communities and the environment. 

Underground and economic technical reports  

Council has commissioned several independent reports to provide alternate perspectives and greater insight into technical aspects of the project, including:

  1. (PDF, 4MB)Underground vs overhead comparison report (PDF, 4MB)(PDF, 5MB) in 2020, exploring the viability of alternative solutions and confirming that undergrounding the transmission line can be done. 
  2. HVDC alternative underground scoping report(PDF, 4MB)(PDF, 4MB) in 2021, demonstrating that utilising HVDC cables for the WRL is a viable, low-impact alternative to the AC overhead transmission line currently being planned.
  3. Local economic impact assessment (PDF, 55MB) in 2021, examining the economic advantages and disadvantages not previously considered as part of the project’s Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process. It found that the RIT-T considers only direct electricity market benefit and not any local, indirect or non-market impacts (positive or negative).

Green and Unseen campaign

Council has been advocating for the Western Renewables Link to explore underground construction options since the project was first announced. A campaign called Green and Unseen was launched by Council to communicate the issues with an overhead transmission line and urge for the line to go underground.  

We are proud to produce renewable energy through our wind farms, but putting the powerlines overhead is not green and is actually dangerous to Moorabool residents – hence our Green and Unseen campaign.

 

Community information sessions

Moorabool Shire Council has held several successful community sessions since 2020, as part of a series inviting technical experts to share their knowledge with the public on the many complexities of the project. The most recent session focused on how to prepare a strong submission to the Western Renewables Link’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) when it is exhibited for public comment in early-2023, and how the process itself will work.

Please visit Council’s Have Your Say webpage to submit your suggestions for future topics and guest speakers.   

All sessions were recorded and can be accessed via the YouTube hyperlinks below:

Preparing a submission to an Environment Effects Statement (EES) public review
 Presented by Louise Hicks, Barrister, and Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Wednesday 9 March 2022
Watch the recording

Update on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process
 Presented by Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Thursday 11 November 2021
Watch the recording

Understanding the Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in Western Victoria  
 Presented by Ben Ferguson, Director of Renewable Energy Zones Development Branch, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Thursday 25 November 2021
Watch the recording

Understanding the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process
 Presented by Jack Krohn. Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Wednesday 23 September 2020
Watch the recording
 Additional Q&A - DELWP
(PDF, 188KB) Additional Q&A - AusNet Services(PDF, 87KB)(PDF, 87KB)

Understanding compulsory land acquisition and compensation 
 Presented by Tony Rutherford, Shaun Whittaker and Jackson Dyer from Mills Oakley Law Firm
Thursday 8 October 2020
Watch the recording

Energy Safe Victoria Part 1 - Safety and High Voltage Transmission Lines
 Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
Wednesday 21 October 2020
Watch the recording
 Additional Q&A - Energy Safe Victoria(PDF, 330KB)(PDF, 330KB)

Energy Safe Victoria Part 2 - Farming and High Voltage Transmission Lines
 Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
Thursday 3 December 2020
Watch the recording
 Additional Q&A 2 - Energy Safe Victoria(PDF, 330KB)(PDF, 330KB)

AEMO explains RiT-T and findings
 Presented by Tony Chappel, Alex Wonhas, Greg Thorpe & Alistair Parker.
Wednesday 9 December 2020
Watch the recording
 Additional Q&A - AEMO(PDF, 933KB)

Project timeline and resulting actions

Council has been advocating on behalf of the community with decision-makers throughout the process: 

2023

20 Mar - Derek Madden, Moorabool Shire Council CEO responds to AusNet Services (AusNet) guide for landholders set to accommodate a Western Renewables Link (WRL) easement should the project receive its approvals. Read the statement here 

20 Mar - AusNet publishes guide for landholders 

15 Mar - Council submission(PDF, 453KB) to the VNI West Consultation Report

2022

7 Sep - Moorabool Shire adopts updated High Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy at an Ordinary Meeting of Council

18 Aug - AusNet announces adjustments to the proposed final route

8 July - Council issues media release following the adoption of motions submitted by Moorabool to the Municipal Association of Victoria and Australian Local Government Association, advocating for renewable energy infrastructure policy reform

4 July - Council issues media release reflecting on three years of advocating for the project to explore underground design options

13 May - Letter from AusNet in response to retraction request, stating their is no evidence the Underground Construction Summary is technically inaccurate

4 Apr - Moorabool CEO writes to AusNet(PDF, 349KB) requesting a formal retraction of the unverified findings in their Underground Construction Summary report, released in November 2021

9 Mar - Community Session: Preparing a submission to an Environment Effects Statement (EES) pubic review Presented by Louise Hicks, Barrister, and Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

2021

22 Dec - Moorabool Shire adopts High Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy(PDF, 150KB) at an unscheduled Meeting of Council

14 Dec - Moorabool Mayor writes to politicians(PDF, 371KB) regarding unacceptable setback distances between the transmission line and private residences

26 Nov - Moorabool Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan issues media release in response to AusNet's final route announcement

26 Nov - AusNet Services announces proposed final route for an overhead transmission line and releases Underground Construction Summary eliminating underground options

25 Nov - Community Session 2: Understanding the Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in Western Victoria
Presented by Ben Ferguson, Director of Renewable Energy Zones Development Branch, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 

23 Nov - Moorabool Mayor writes to the Premier of Victoria(PDF, 221KB) advocating for undergrounding the transmission line

11 Nov - Community Session 1: Update on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process Presented by Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

9 Nov - Letter from Council Officers raising concerns over community engagement processes and reporting

Late Sep - AusNet Services hosts live webinars with environmental and technical specialists, the details for this page can be found here

20 Sep - Letter from Council Officers raising concerns over Community Consultation Group Terms of Reference

30 June - AusNet Services announces the proposed overhead corridor and next steps for determining the final route

16 June - Moorabool Shire Council passes resolution to continue advocating for proper consideration of undergrounding the transmission line 

13 June - Moorabool releases independent report comparing impacts of underground versus overhead transmission line 

11 May - Letter from Australian Energy Market Operator(PDF, 87KB) in response to re-application of RIT-T process requested in 16 March 2021 letter

29 Apr - Letter from Australian Energy Regulator(PDF, 303KB) in response to concerns with RIT-T process raised in 16 March 2021 letter

16 Mar - Letters to Australian Energy Regulator(PDF, 316KB) and Australian Energy Market Operator requesting re-application of RIT-T process

2 Mar - AusNet Services release their Environment Effects Statement Consultation Plan and establish a Community Consultation Group, CCG minutes can be accessed via their website 

24 Feb - AusNet Services announces corridors and next steps for determining final route

17 Feb - Letter to Australian Energy Regulator(PDF, 241KB) raising concerns with RIT-T process in light of local economic impact assessment

5 Feb - Council commissions independent local economic impact assessment(PDF, 55MB)

13 Jan - Letter to John Brumby(PDF, 250KB) regarding impact of transmission lines on the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid 

2020

9 Dec - Community Session 4: AEMO explains RiT-T and findings Presented by Tony Chappel, Alex Wonhas, Greg Thorpe & Alistair Parker

3 Dec - Community Session 3: Energy Safe Victoria Part 2 - Farming and High Voltage Transmission Lines Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria

Dec - Minister for Planning issues final scoping requirements for EES 

16 Nov - Letter from Australian Energy Market Operator(PDF, 108KB) in response to concerns raised in 9 October 2020 letter

21 Oct - Community Session 3: Energy Safe Victoria Part 1 - Safety and High Voltage Transmission Lines Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria 

9 Oct - Letter to AEMO requesting further information on AC/DC, loss of social licence, and commercial matters(PDF, 297KB) in response to 16 September 2020 letter

8 Oct - Community Session 2: Understanding compulsory land acquisition and compensation
Presented by Tony Rutherford, Shaun Whittaker and Jackson Dyer from Mills Oakley Law Firm.

25 Sep - Council releases independent report(PDF, 5MB)  that compares aboveground with underground

23 Sep - Community Session 1: Understanding the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process Presented by Jack Krohn, Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

16 Sep - Letter from Australian Energy Market Operator(PDF, 93KB) in response to 13 August 2020 letter regarding underground options

4 Sep - (PDF, 237KB)Letter to Federal Minister for Environment(PDF, 235KB)

4 Sep - Letter to Federal Minister for Energy and Emission Reduction(PDF, 237KB)

2 Sep - EPBC Decision(PDF, 380KB)  – controlled action assessed under the bilateral agreement with the Victorian Government 

25 Aug - Mayor David Edwards writes to Victorian MPs(PDF, 218KB)  seeking their support to ask AusNet to bury the transmission line

18 Aug - (PDF, 218KB)A joint letter from Moorabool, Melton, Hepburn and Ballarat councils raising concerns(PDF, 339KB)  

14 Aug - Moorabool provides submission(PDF, 292KB) to EPBC referral

13 Aug - Moorabool CEO writes to Australian Energy Market Operator(PDF, 239KB) asking for an expanded justification on the cost comparison used to rule out underground as an option

6 Aug - Federal EPBC Referral accepted and open for public comment. EPBC Referral documents:
Referral(PDF, 339KB)
Indicative tower heights and span(PDF, 282KB)
Area of interest(PDF, 3MB)
Stakeholder engagement(PDF, 421KB)
EPBC protected matters report(PDF, 137KB)
EPBC threatened species(PDF, 13KB)
EPBC listed TECs(PDF, 8KB)  
EPBC migratory species(PDF, 10KB)

4 Aug - Planning Minister confirms EES will be required for project. Minister’s decision documents:
Decision(PDF, 85KB)
Reasons for decision(PDF, 84KB)

29 July - CEOs from Moorabool, Melton and Hepburn met with Executive team from AusNet and AEMO to discuss issues raised in first joint letter

27 July - Letter(PDF, 346KB) to Minister for Planning for Moorabool, Melton, Hepburn and Ballarat councils

26 June - Second joint letter(PDF, 376KB) from Moorabool, Melton, Hepburn and Ballarat councils

20 June - Community held meeting in Myrniong

19 June - Victorian EES Referral accepted by Planning Minister. Referral documents:
Area of interest(PDF, 1MB)
Detailed map(PDF, 8MB)
Protected areas(PDF, 895KB)
Zone and overlay plans(PDF, 5MB)
Biodiversity plans(PDF, 3MB)
Public and private land(PDF, 1MB)
Stakeholder engagement(PDF, 421KB)
(PDF, 421KB)Rare threatened species(PDF, 103KB)
Heritage places(PDF, 899KB)
Referral(PDF, 558KB)

3 June - AusNet provides briefing to Councillors 

1 June - AusNet advises council officers that letters were sent to 120 land owners. Phone calls commenced the following week

4 May - Letter from AusNet acknowledging receipt of letter

28 Apr - Joint letter(PDF, 311KB) from Moorabool, Melton and Hepburn raising concerns

1 Apr - Moorabool holds first meeting with all affected councils

13 Mar - Council had first meeting with Mondo/AusNet. Council first told that letters were going to be sent to landowners (this got put on hold due to COVID-19)

2019

20 Dec - Mondo/AusNet acknowledging letter

18 Dec - Council wrote to Mondo(PDF, 599KB)  providing our submissions and reiterating the need to understand where the alignment was proposed to be

18 Dec - Mondo wrote to Council stating they will be in touch in the new year to discuss project

17 Dec - AEMO selected Mondo, the commercial division of the AusNet Services Group to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project

22 Oct - Council provides second submission(PDF, 537KB)  to AEMO focussed on potential fire risk. Submission reiterates the request of underground

1 Oct - Council officers receive briefing from AEMO on PACR

29 July - Council does media release and the project is in the Moorabool News

19 July - Western Victoria Renewable Integration Report – Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) published. This report confirms that the preferred option is a new 500kV line from Sydenham to North Ballarat  

9 July - Council Staff meet with AEMO to discuss the Submission

28 June - Submission supplied to all Federal and State Members

26 June - Council provides a detailed submission to AEMO.(PDF, 166KB) Council’s view was that the project needs to be conducted in a manner that has the least impact on our residents, our existing landscape, the natural environment, farming activities, our towns and the growth projected for the Shire. Council reiterated that the most appropriate way to address these concerns would be through the undergrounding of the powerlines, ideally for the extent of the project or at least in part

6 June - Council meets with AEMO to discuss the project in more detail

Feb-Mar - Council seeks further clarification on the preferred alignment and its impact on Moorabool Shire Council.

Feb - Advert appeared in local paper - Call for submissions Western Victorian Electricity Transmission Network Regulatory Investment Test. Submissions open until 28 February, 2019.

1 Feb - Council requests potential alignment from AEMO. Provided very high-level map from PADR

31 Jan - CEO and council staff have an Initial meeting with AEMO. Project report in draft and no final decision made on which project will be put to tender

2018/17

Dec 2018 - AEMO published Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) that assessed the technical and economic feasibility of options to improve transmissions options in western Victoria 

Dec 2017 - AEMO publishes the first report, the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) which seeks feedback and advice on the identified need for new transmission infrastructure

Provide feedback to AusNet

Council strongly encourages everyone to share their feedback directly with AusNet Services and have their voices heard by visiting www.westernrenewableslink.com.au, calling 1300 360 795 or emailing info@westernrenewableslink.com.au.

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