VicGrid hosted community consultation sessions to address its draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, which Campaspe Shire Council endorsed a formal submission about. Photo: Jordan Townrow.
At its Tuesday, July 15 meeting, Campaspe Shire Council voted to lodge a formal submission to VicGrid over its draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan.
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The plan, which has been developed by the Victorian Government to inform its renewable energy targets, includes seven draft proposed renewable energy zones.
This includes the Central North Renewable Energy Zone, which falls in Campaspe Shire and covers almost 160,000 hectares.
In this zone, VicGrid has estimated an additional wind capacity of 60 to 80 megawatts, the lowest contribution of the seven zones.
VicGrid's draft proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone, published in its draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan. Photo: VicGrid.
Campaspe Shire Council is concerned the plan does not align with its future planning and biodiversity goals.
In its submission, there are four major themes council addresses about the zone, stating that it:
Conflicts with the Campaspe Planning Scheme and regional economic development strategies.
Overlooks the strategic importance of irrigated agriculture and food production in the region.
Fails to adequately assess and protect biodiversity, threatened species and cultural landscapes.
Risks undermining long-standing community and Traditional Owner efforts to manage and protect land and water resources
The submission is supported with a range of maps, including the Campaspe Shire Strategic Farmwork Plan, land use and water infrastructure.
An overlay of the draft proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone (green) in reference to the Campaspe Shire LGA (yellow). Photo: Campaspe Shire Council.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Paul Jarman supported the motion, noting the concerns raised in the submission, including a lack of consultation with council.
“There are four clear themes that we have a problem,” he said.
“It is also misleading in it makes the statement that consideration was given to align with the regional and local economic development strategies when undertaken, and this appears to be inaccurate at (the) very least.”
Cr Rob Amos highlighted his concern over the consultation and decision-making process, while Cr Adrian Weston believes the plan does not consider threatened species living in the zone.
Cr Zoe Cook stated that while she agreed with the points around ecological protection, engagement with Traditional Owners and accurate consultation, she did not support council’s submission.
In her reasons for voting against the motion, Cr Cook said she felt that it reflected badly on the council and its adoption of renewable energy.
“Whilst it does include these valid points ... it mentions ‘council welcomes the shift towards renewable energy sources’,” she said.
“But then, at every other point, tries to make out that it actually doesn’t.
“The way that this submission comes across, I think the lack of real support for renewables discredits our shire and our move towards renewables and our need for renewable energy going into the future.”
The motion was passed with eight votes for and one against; thus the submission will be made to VicGrid.
Community consultation about the draft plan was open for six weeks over May and June and included webinars and in-person sessions.
The final 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan will be published later this year.
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