Councils Position Statement on Mining, Renewable Energy, and Transmiss

Published on 04 February 2025

On 29 January 2025, the Councillors of Yarriambiack Shire endorsed their position statement on mining, renewable energy, and transmission lines, showing unanimous agreement. The Council aims to collaborate with neighbouring Councils that have similar objectives to achieve improved outcomes for their communities.

The Council also seeks for the community to address these challenges with respect, understanding, and openness to different perspectives.

Mayor Kylie Zanker stated, “As a Council, we recognise the community angst and division that mining, renewable energy, and transmission distribution developments have caused within our Shire and region”.

“We respect landholders' rights to negotiate with companies regarding their land use. We also request that our community acknowledges and respects landholders' decisions” continued Mayor Zanker.

“We acknowledge that the mining, renewable energy, and transmission projects are being driven and supported by the State Government, with the objective of advancing Victoria's clean economy ambitions. These initiatives aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 and attain 95% renewable energy by 2035. Furthermore, mineral sands mining is intended to facilitate the energy transition. It is important to note that as a Council, we do not have authority over the transition, nor are we the approving body for mineral sand mining and renewable energy projects, which are causing community concern”.

“However, we 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”, stated Mayor Zanker.

“If our region is to host renewable energy and mining projects, we ask that:

Legislative reforms are enacted to prevent the displacement of farming families, to protect landowners’ intergenerational bond with their land, and to consider the social wellbeing of the community; and

The Government significantly invests back into our Shire and region the funds that will be generated from the energy transition.

Mayor Zanker continued, “If our community is contributing significantly to the State and Nation's economy through power, agriculture, and construction, then we require improved facilities, roads, and a committed investment for both the present and future. This should be a priority”.

We want a substantial and sustained financial investment in our road networks. Specifically, we request an immediate allocation of $54 million for the upgrade and widening of Council-owned strategic roads to 6.6 metres; and The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) road networks across Western Victoria. This includes upgrading and widening to 6.6 metres all Priority C Class roads across our Shire, and the upgrade of the Lyle Street Warracknabeal bridge.

Additionally, we seek an ongoing financial commitment to maintain these roads and address both ours and the DTP’s renewal gap requirements.

We want the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process to ensure it utilises the Social Cost Benefit Analysis (SCBA) model, to weigh both tangible and intangible costs against the benefits. This limitation is critical in accounting for non-market impacts like environmental degradation and social displacement. The failure to utilise the SCBA model ignores long-term sustainable impacts on regional industries like agriculture.

We want significant and enduring investment into legacy State-owned community assets (e.g. community centres, halls, pools, etc.), and for the State to cover the insurance costs for their own assets, opposed to the community carrying this burden.

We want a significant and enduring investment into aged care facilities, health services, schools, childcare facilities, housing and connecting infrastructure such as footpaths and tracks, that enhance the health, well-being, social connection and cohesion of our community.

"I am deeply frustrated with the current level of financial commitment and investment in our Shire and region," stated Mayor Zanker. "It is essential that the Government ensures our communities host this infrastructure only if there are tangible long-term benefits provided. The frustration expressed by our communities is understandable, as they need clarity on the advantages they will receive. At this point, no concrete benefits have been offered. Our communities are fundamental to the State, and they deserve recognition and support. They deserve better."

END OF RELEASE

Mayor Kylie Zanker

View Yarriambiack Shire Council’s Position on Mining Renewables and Transmission Lines here(PDF, 6MB)

Visit our State Projects page here for more information regarding significant projects within Yarriambiack Shire