Draft Victorian Transmission Plan

Published on 21 May 2025

The Victorian Government has released the draft Victorian Transmission Plan.

The draft plan identifies the areas that the State Government considers the most suitable by the locations for new proposed renewable energy zones and the necessary transmission projects as the state's coal-fired power stations close down.

What’s in the draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan

• Draft proposed renewable energy zones – the 7 areas across the state most suitable to host new renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar, and storage. 
• A draft proposed Gippsland Shoreline Renewable Energy Zone – a limited area where offshore wind developers will need to locate onshore infrastructure to connect their projects to the grid. 
• Proposed transmission projects needed over 2025-2040, to enable development of renewable energy zones and offshore wind farms. 

Mayor Kylie Zanker from Yarriambiack Shire Council noted that “there are two renewable energy zones (REZ) that are proposed to cross into our Shire.  The Wimmera Southern Mallee and the Grampians Wimmera REZ”.  “It is important that the Community review those zones, along with the likely scale of generation in each REZ”.  “I encourage the community to visit the Community engagement hubs established or to provide feedback via the Feedback Form available on the Engage Vic website” stated Mayor Zanker.

VicGrid has opened community hubs in proposed renewable energy zone locations across Victoria.

• Grampians Wimmera Renewable Energy Zone: Stawell VicGrid Hub, Grampians Community Health, 8-22 Patrick St, Stawell, Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm
• Wimmera Southern Mallee Renewable Energy Zone: Horsham VicGrid hub, Centre For Participation, 39 Urquhart St, Horsham, Tuesdays from 10 am to 3 pm

Mayor Zanker confirmed that “Yarriambiack Shire Council will be making a submission and providing feedback in regard to the Draft Transmission Plan”. 

"We will be seeking clarification regarding the Curyo Windfarm (up to 1000 MW) and the Wilkur Energy Park (up to 776 MW) not being within the footprint of a REZ. We wish to understand if those projects will still be considered, given the uncertainty these proposed projects place on our community."  

Mayor Zanker stated that “both projects have initiated Environmental Effects Statement (EES) processes. The commencement of these EES processes has imposed limitations on farming communities regarding the development of certain areas of their land”.  

Mayor Zanker stated that “the Grampians Wimmera REZ and the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZ are each planning to generate between 320 and 480 MW of new wind energy. In contrast, the energy parks planned for Yarriambiack Shire are significantly larger. The Campbells Bridge project is set to produce 1000 MW, and the Warracknabeal Energy Park will generate 1650 MW. We seek to understand the implications for these large-scale projects, specifically whether their capacities will be reduced. Given the maximum megawatts identified, we anticipate that the number of prospectors in these areas will decrease substantially”.

Mayor Zanker continued that “we also wish to understand what it means for the private transmissions projects, where does that leave the WiRES project planned within our Shire?”.

"As a Council, we have observed the anxiety and concern that proposed projects have caused among our community members. We seek clarity from the Victoria Transmission Plan so that our community can comprehend its impacts."

On 29 January 2025, the Councillors of Yarriambiack Shire endorsed their position statement on mining, renewable energy, and transmission lines, showing unanimous agreement.

The Yarriambiack Shire does not have authority over the transition, nor are they the approving body for mineral sand mining and renewable energy projects, which are causing community concern.

Mayor Zanker stated, “However, Council will continue to advocate for legislative reforms to ensure that community members residing close to mining, transmission, and renewable energy infrastructure are considered, and their health, wellbeing, and the social cohesion of our community are taken into account”.

Yarriambiack Shire Council has also compiled information and resources relating to significant projects within the Shire, including Council's Position Statement on Mining, Renewable Energy and Transmission Lines.

To learn more on Significant State Projects within the Shire, visit State Projects - Yarriambiack Shire Council

END

Mayor Kylie Zanker

You can read the draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, a community summary and supporting factsheets at engage.vic.gov.au/victransmissionplan and the interactive map can be viewed via the Draft proposed renewable energy zones | Developing the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan | Engage Victoria