Northern Grampians Shire Council in July last year opposed the introduction of the Grampians Wimmera Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Council leaders believe the State Government's announcement on Friday that the proposed REZ would be significantly reduced in size goes some of the way but still falls short of council's resolved position.
VicGrid coordinates planning and development of Victoria's renewable energy zones - areas identified as the best places to host wind, solar and battery storage projects - to support the State Government's long-term transition to renewable energy sources.
Following two years of engagement, VicGrid has now declared five of six proposed onshore zones, along with a shoreline zone, with some changes to proposed boundaries.
One of these onshore zones, the Western Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), includes parts of Northern Grampians Shire.
The Western REZ combines the proposed Grampians Wimmera REZ and Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ and is split into two sections.
The eastern section falls entirely within Northern Grampians Shire, while the western section includes land in Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Buloke municipalities.
In response to consultation on this zone as part of the declaration process, some areas of high cultural and biodiversity values were excluded from the eastern section.
Northern Grampians Shire deputy mayor Justine Hide said the council had invested considerable time and resources into monitoring and responding to the government's transition to renewable energy, including making a submission to VicGrid's draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan.
"Councillors opposed the Grampians Wimmera REZ in July 2025 after passing a Notice of Motion that advocated against the introduction of the REZ," she said.
"Letters were also sent to the offices of the Premier, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Planning, and the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner advising of the notice, with a formal submission provided to VicGrid in March of this year.
"The eastern section has been revised to increase distance from culturally significant
landscapes and remove valuable conservation reserves and areas along the Wimmera River, however council is still concerned that many areas of agricultural importance remain within the REZ."
People can visit VicGrid's website, www.vicgrid.com.au, for an interactive map of the renewable energy zones, including changes to the eastern section of the Western REZ.
Cr Hide said she understood renewable energy and transmission line projects were highly emotive for many residents, particularly those directly impacted.
"We are closely following the situation between VicGrid representatives and landowners in the shire's farming corridor as two transmission line projects - VNI West and Western Renewables Link - continue to unfold," she said.
"A key difference between solar, wind and battery projects and the State Government's transmission line projects centres around landowner consent.
"Any renewable energy developer wanting to develop a renewable energy generation or storage project must speak with impacted landowners and seek permission to build on their land. This means people can say no.
"This is different to the proposed State Government transmission line projects, as these involve compulsory land acquisition - which is incredibly challenging for certain members of our community."
Cr Hide reiterated that council's focus remained on ensuring communities were prepared for major energy, transmission and mining projects - if they proceeded - through the Northwest-9 Resource Ready Strategy.
She said council would make a formal submission to the draft 2026 Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines before the June 26 deadline.
A link to the draft guidelines is available on council's website, Have Your Say.
"With the REZs now declared, these guidelines will outline how renewable energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure should be developed over the next 25 years to support the State Government's long-term renewable energy transition plans," Cr Hide said.
VicGrid will host in-person community engagement events at Stawell Entertainment Centre on Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16.
VicGrid representatives will be on hand to speak with people about the Western REZ and VNI transmission line project.
