The Resource Ready North-Western Victoria Energy and Mining Impact and Readiness Strategy (the Strategy) provides an independent analysis of the potential impacts from $27.7 billion in planned transmission, renewable energy, and mining projects across nine north-western Victorian councils. The Strategy identifies that potential scale of renewable energy infrastructure and mining across the study area and identifies the significant workforce demands including 9,000 construction jobs and 2,300 ongoing operational roles, alongside critical challenges such as severe housing shortages, labour market constraints, infrastructure pressures, and potential impacts on the region's agricultural sector. The Strategy outlines actions under 8 key themes to prepare the region, maximise community benefits, and reduce negative impacts if major projects are approved by State and Federal governments.
Nine councils (Buloke, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Loddon, Northern Grampians, Swan Hill, West Wimmera, and Yarriambiack) commissioned an independent Strategy to assess the impacts of:
- VNI West transmission project ($7.1bn) and transmission upgrades ($3.37bn);
- 33 renewable energy projects (13GW+ generation capacity); and
- 22 mining projects (mineral sands, gold, rare earth elements).
The Study Area covers 58,503 sq km (26% of Victoria) with a population of approximately 93,100 and 42,300 jobs.