Buloke Shire Council, The Buloke Times

Buloke Shire Council has expressed deep disappointment with the State Government’s handling of a major expansion to Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), which now push significantly into Buloke communities.

The major extension of the Grampians-Wimmera REZ now extends into Buloke’s west near Curyo and Wilkur and the North West REZ has shifted closer to the north-east of Charlton.

“When change of this scale is introduced with little-to-no warning, it doesn’t just raise concerns, it has significant impacts on our community,” said Buloke Shire Council Mayor, Alan Getley.

“Council objects to VNI West in its current form. We remain firmly aligned with our community and have called on the State Government to engage genuinely and constructively with our community and Council.”

Trust diminishes

“This announcement from VicGrid further diminishes trust in the State from our community.

“We were given little time to understand the full impact. We know that people will be upset, and so are we.”

REZs are planned around transmission infrastructure, and projects within REZs will retain open access to the transmission grid, making connections easier, faster, and often cheaper.

In the dark

“It’s one thing to shift the goalposts, but this feels like moving the entire field, handing the rulebook to one team (renewable energy companies) and leaving the other team, our community, in the dark,” the Mayor said.

Council acknowledges that some local landholders have chosen to participate in renewable energy projects.

“We encourage everyone to share their views respectfully,” the Mayor continued.

“These conversations must run in parallel so that whatever destination we arrive at, we arrive at transparently.”

Council’s submission to the Draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan is now available on its website at www.buloke.vic.gov.au.

For more information about the REZ extension, visit the VicGrid media page and online interactive map.

Send your feedback to VicGrid: email at vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au, or via post to VicGrid, GPO Box 527, Melbourne Vic 3001.

For further information contact 1300 520 520 or media@buloke.vic.gov.au.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 19 August 2025.