Compromise a must

Adevelopment leader at the forefront of a major western Victorian renewable-energy push has appealed to regional leaders, landowners and developers to work on compromises.

Grampians New Energy Taskforce spokesman Stuart Benjamin said building the capacity of power-carrying infrastructure throughout the region was essential in opening industry potential.

But he added it was equally important for all affected by the process to have a say and to cover off on all social and environmental as well as big-picture issues.

A need to modernise aging western Victorian electricity-carrying capacity to open the door for more renewable-energy production is well documented.

Wimmera Development Association, in identifying the potential, has strongly advocated for upgrades for several years.

But a Western Victorian Transmission Project, which involves establishing high-capacity electrical infrastructure – expansive power lines and towers – from the edge of Melbourne to Bulgana near Great Western has generated public debate and anxiety.

This has especially occurred from communities in the path of a planned powerline route such as in Moorabool Shire, where there are claims of a lack of public consultation.

Ausnet Services has the job of building the proposed Melbourne-towimmera

upgrade. Mr Benjamin, also Regional Development Australia’s Grampians chairman, said he understood concerns about a lengthy string of giant power towers running through regional properties.

But he added the project represented an initial stage of something that would ultimately be to the benefit of everyone.

“We must protect our power, we must reform our economy, and the transmission project is essential to achieve this,” he said.

“But we must hold Ausnet Services to account. The consultation so far has been very disappointing and they need to, quite frankly, lift their game.

“They will be required to undertake an environmental effects statement and this is the process that addresses all the concerns our regional communities have.

“This has to begin immediately so the extended Grampians regional community can have input into the formation of this project.”

Potential

Mr Benjamin stressed that for much of western Victoria to pursue renewable-energy development and opportunities, it needed new and modern power-carrying infrastructure.

“But, this has to involve the input of all stakeholders so we can push forward with confidence,” he said.

Research into climatic and geographic conditions continues to point to the Wimmera, southern Mallee, Western District and Central Highlands having potential for large-scale power generation via wind, solar and other renewable sources.

But many energy-farm projects have stalled, are on hold or have scaled back from initial plans based on inadequate grid infrastructure.

Much of the power-carrying potential of the grid in the Wimmera is at or near capacity.

“There is also plenty of data that has become available to more than suggest the renewable-energy industry in regions such as the Wimmera has the potential to be the driver of transformation socio-economic circumstances,” Mr Benjamin said.

“So we can’t let things such as inappropriate consultation processes and at the other scale scaremongering, which we’ve also seen, stop it before it can get started.”