Green Gold Australia’s River Road solar farm approved by Council
The latest in renewable energy projects went before the July meeting of Hay Shire Council, where the development was approved. Green Gold Energy is proposing a five-megawatt solar farm on the property of Cameron and Lyn Clark, on the Murrumbidgee River Road.
Energy Minister must reconsider Central North REZ says Lovell
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Energy and Resources to reconsider the size and location of the Central North Renewable Energy Zone. Following the recent release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan for public consultation, numerous objections have been raised by community members and local government...
Murra Warra Wind Farm community grants
More than $103,000 of community grants have been awarded to not-for profit and community groups across the Horsham, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh Shires, under the Murra Warra Wind Farm Grants Fund ... The Murra Warra Wind Farm Community Grants program is administered by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development on behalf of Squadron Energy, with an independent selection committee ...
Energy transition must not trample farmers’ rights: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has reacted with concern following recent comments from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, warning that the State Government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most.
New renewables law
Legislation came into effect last week which aims to empower communities on renewable energy projects. The Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, introduces significant reforms that strengthen social licence requirements for renewable energy projects and consistent development assessment rules across the state.
New guide to help developers and landowners blend renewables with agriculture: EnergyCo
A new handbook empowering landowners and solar developers to harness the benefits of combining agriculture with solar energy is now available. A new handbook empowering landowners and solar developers to harness the benefits of combining agriculture with solar energy is now available.
Cheque handover marks a major step forward for Jerilderie Medical Centre
Jerilderie's proposed new medical centre is a step closer, with Murrumbidgee Council formally accepting a $5 million contribution from Origin Energy through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) linked to the Yanco Delta wind development. The contribution was marked by the official handover of a cheque from Origin representatives to council.
Solar farm final report includes changes to fence, substation location and size of site
Ark Energy has completed its report on the Richmond Valley Solar Farm after issues came from the community during public exhibition. The issues relating to the development application and environmental impact statement include visual and noise impacts, biodiversity, bushfire risk and changing land use.
VNI West completion dates pushed back
Transmission Company Victoria ... advised landholders that the expected completion date for the VNI West transmission project was extending from 2028 to late 2030. TCV Spokesperson, Claire Cass, said the updated timeline reflects revised planning, design and construction assumptions for one of Victoria’s most significant energy infrastructure projects ... The controversial project's timeline extension showed the landholders deserved more respect, according to Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster.
Tasmanian landholders reject last-minute Government offer on transmission corridor: TasFarmers
Landowners along the Tasmanian North West Transmission Development have overwhelmingly rejected a last-minute strategic benefit payment offer made by the Tasmanian Government. TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the offer delivered at the eleventh hour through TasNetworks broke pre-election commitments made to negotiate in good faith.
Commissioner hears transmission pain in Moulamein
The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, Tony Mahar, met with locals in Moulamein on Tuesday to listen to their experience of the country's energy transition to date ... many of the complaints heard were not new to Commissioner Mahar. “Community engagement is nowhere near where it needs to be.”
“No show” from transmission company: Farmers rally at Wycheproof
Carey Brennan. Around 200 farmers rallied at Wycheproof on Friday, June 20, outside the Buloke Shire Offices ready to greet TCV staff when they arrived to meet with Councillors … Shortly before the meeting, TCV notified Cr Getley that they had concerns for their safety after receiving advice from Vic. Police and would no longer be attending…
The great regional disconnect: Why the only towers getting funded are the ones that don’t make calls
The brutal truth? We’ve hit the wall on new mobile towers in the bush ... If the government wants to be taken seriously on regional development—and on spreading the half-million migrants arriving each year beyond our major cities—then it must stop treating mobile connectivity as a private-sector problem. It’s time to treat it like the essential service it is.
Council confirms support for wind farm despite strong opposition at hearing
Hay Shire Council has formally expressed its support for Pottinger Wind Farm at the conclusion of a four-hour long hearing with the NSW Government Independent Planning Commission last Thursday, amid some vehement opposition from concerned locals, lobby groups and chair of Nuclear for Australia, Adi Paterson.
“No Go Cubico” rally
Woomelang was a sight to behold last Thursday June 12, as vehicles, farm machinery, fire trucks and an extensive range of protest signs and banners lined the streets to mark Cubico Sustainable Investments’ first public visit to the district. The “No Go Cubico” rally, organised by dozens of unwilling neighbours to the proposed Curyo Wind Farm…
$240m battery
A $240m Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed for a site 3.5km west of Naracoorte by renewable company ACE Power. The project will be known as the Kincraig Battery and 60 people are expected to be employed during its construction phase, with two to four people required long term to maintain it.
Birchip hosts renewables and mining meeting
The community of Birchip, an epicentre of three wind farm proposals and four significant mineral sands mining retention licences, played host to a community meeting addressing turbines, lines, mines and property rights ... Three key speakers addressed an audience exceeding three hundred people from across Western Victoria, who filled the Birchip Leisure Centre to capacity.
Council rejects VNI West project in its current form
Northern Grampians Shire councillors will call on the State Government to find an alternative to its VNI West transmission line project amid fears for the nation’s food security along with community mental health and wellbeing. Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500kV double circuit transmission line connecting high-voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.
Wind farm to boost output
Patricia Gill. Denmark Community Windfarm has plans to double the size of the facility with approval received for four turbines on Wilson Head. The current turbines would be replaced by more powerful ones and two more turbines would be erected on the Wilson Head site.
VNI West loses social license
Despite our vast natural resources, Australia now has some of the highest electricity prices in the world and the road to “renewables” seems bumpier than ever. The Gannawarra Shire Council meeting last week, saw a motion to oppose the VNI West electricity transmission project planned to pass through the municipality, approved. (April fools image)
Leap forward for Nhill Renewable Energy Facility
Construction of a new solar farm and battery at Nhill is now complete and has successfully connected to the electricity grid – supplying cheap renewable energy to power operations at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater).
Community given a voice on proposed wind farm: Bleijie
Following a thorough assessment led by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the proposed Moonlight Range Wind Farm 40 kilometres north west of Rockhampton, will not proceed. The project included plans for up to 88 wind turbines, a battery energy storage system, and related infrastructure covering 1,269 hectares in total, including 434 hectares of vegetation that would need to be cleared.
