Five Councils Form Alliance

Published on 28 February 2025

Five Councils form alliance after meeting to discuss the impact on their communities of Transmission Lines, Renewable Energy and Mining.

Councillors and CEOs from Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shire Councils, along with representatives from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria met in Charlton last week to discuss the ongoing impact of transmission lines, renewable energy developments and mining.  These Councils encompass the planned route for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI West) transmission line and represent 12.5% of Victoria's land mass.

Buloke Shire hosted the meeting after a suggestion from the Northern Grampians Shire to try and explore common ground on transmission and renewables challenges all Councils in the Wimmera, Mallee/Loddon region have been facing over recent years.

"We have common issues of serious concern in respect of major proposed transmission lines and the large number of renewable developments. These concerns include the impact on our acute housing shortage during the construction boom, the lack of social licence which has alienated many farmers, the environmental impact, the detrimental impact on roads and the impost this has had on Council resourcing.  We realise we will have a stronger voice if we work together rather than individually." said the spokesperson Mayor Alan Getley of Buloke Shire Council.

An outcome of the meeting is the formation of a working group with representatives of each Council present on the day.

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MAYOR ALAN GETLEY - BULOKE SHIRE COUNCIL

MAYOR DAN STRAUB - LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL

DEPUTY MAYOR JUSTINE HIDE - NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE COUNCIL

MAYOR GARNER SMITH - GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL

MAYOR KYLIE ZANKER - YARRIAMBIACK SHIRE COUNCIL