Strathbogie Shire Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy has issued several demands to be met by VicGrid and the Victorian Government in relation to transmission reforms.
Strathbogie Shire Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy has criticised proposed transmission reforms as a blow to regional communities.
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As of September 1, the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2) Reform Bill 2025 had passed in both houses of Victorian Parliament, with several amendments made.
The bill shifts declared network functions from the Australian Energy Market Operator to VicGrid.
Now the key body responsible for planning and developing Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones and transmission infrastructure to support the transition to renewable energy, VicGrid has released its first strategic long-term plan, named the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan.
While the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone nearly misses Strathbogie Shire, covering instead the local government areas of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Benalla and Greater Bendigo, Cr Ewart-Kennedy has warned the plans will be harmful to regional Victorian communities.
“Strathbogie Shire has some of the least reliable power in Victoria. We have endured repeated blackouts that cripple our towns, businesses and farms,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.
“Yet, instead of addressing reliability, these reforms impose new risks and strip landholders of their rights.
“Imagine if you lived on a metropolitan property and companies could force access to your land without your consent — how would you feel?”
The Central North Renewable Energy Zone covers the local government areas of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Benalla and Greater Bendigo.
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To assess the impact of the transmission plan on regional Victorians, VicGrid has carried out 18 months of consultation and is set to undertake a six-week consultation period to begin in the coming weeks.
While a contentious aspect of the reforms is the expansion of statutory land access powers for investigations and works, enabling inspectors entry into a property regardless of the landholder’s consent, VicGrid says it has ensured adequate compensation will be in place for community members facing adverse outcomes as a result of the plan, such as payments for hosting landholders.
“Victoria is changing the way energy infrastructure is developed, legislating a commitment to early and meaningful engagement and a fairer approach to sharing benefits,” VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said.
“This bill is the next step in our new approach, and it enables the establishment of community energy funds that will be driven by locals and improve local energy outcomes.
“The land access provisions in the bill balance the need to ensure appropriate behaviour by private transmission developers and the need to progress crucial energy infrastructure projects.
“Power companies already have existing rights to access land — these changes just put in place new rules around how those rights are exercised.”
Cr Ewart-Kennedy, who called VicGrid’s approach “strong-arm(ed)”, is pushing for a number of demands to be met to enable a “renewable future that is fair, reliable, and developed in partnership with those most affected.”
Strathbogie Shire Council is calling on the Victorian Government and VicGrid to:
Fix long-standing reliability issues in towns including Euroa, Avenel, Nagambie and Longwood.
Invest in microgrids and storage to safeguard vulnerable communities.
Guarantee fair, transparent and respectful engagement with landholders.
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