Councillors and CEOs from Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shire Councils, along with representatives from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria, met in Charlton last week to discuss the ongoing impact of transmission lines, renewable energy developments and mining.

These Councils encompass the planned route for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI West) transmission line and represent 12.5 per cent of Victoria’s land mass.

Buloke Shire hosted the meeting after a suggestion from the Northern Grampians Shire to try to explore common ground on transmission and renewables challenges all Councils in the Wimmera, Mallee/Loddon region have been facing over recent years.

“We have common issues of serious concern in respect of major proposed transmission lines and the large number of renewable developments,” said spokesperson, Alan Getley, Buloke Shire Council Mayor.

“These concerns include the impact on our acute housing shortage during the construction boom, the lack of social licence which has alienated many farmers, the environmental impact, the detrimental impact on roads and the impost this has had on Council resourcing.

“We realise we will have a stronger voice if we work together rather than individually.”

An outcome of the meeting is the formation of a working group with representatives of each Council present on the day.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 14 March 2025.