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Published on 27 June 2025
Hepburn Shire Council has been advised that the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the proposed Western Renewables Link (WRL) project will be publicly exhibited from 30 June 2025, and Council strongly encourages community members to review the documents and make a submission.
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that Council has allocated significant funding within its budget to support a comprehensive submission, reflecting strong community concern and a clear opposition to the project.
“We stand with our community in voicing serious concerns about the Western Renewables Link. While we are not the project owners, we are ensuring that our community has clear access to the information they need to participate fully in the EES process. We have made our opposition to this project very clear, over many years. It not only impacts prime agricultural land, but it threatens our visitor economy,” said Cr Don Henderson.
“While Council is highly supportive of renewable energy, this project has been flawed since the beginning with a lack of trust and partnership with community. We are strongly opposed to the transmission lines being above ground and along the route proposed,” said Cr Don Henderson.
In the 2025/26 Budget adopted this week, over $1 million will be invested in strategic planning, including further progressing Township Structure Plans and Rural Strategy, along with funding to complete the EES to oppose the WRL.
Information regarding the EES will be available from 30 June 2025 at:
Community members seeking further detail or with questions about the EES or the WRL project should direct enquiries to AusNet or Engage Victoria, as they are responsible for the project and its consultation processes.
The EES describes the proposed project and its expected environmental effects, the process undertaken to develop the project, and how AusNet propose to avoid, mitigate or manage environmental effects.
The EES process is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). The EES is only available for public comment for a short 40 business days from Monday 30 June 2025.
Council will make information on how the community can have their say available at the Daylesford and Creswick Libraries. Council will also hold community drop-in sessions at Newlyn and Creswick to help with understanding the EES process and how to make a submission.
Information on Council’s involvement with the project and its advocacy on behalf of the community is available at Western Renewables Link.