Hepburn Shire Council Mayor, Tony Clark says the Council will continue to stand with the community and oppose the “destructive” Western Renewables Link Project (WRL), after the recent conclusion of its submission to the project’s hearing process.
Council concluded its submission with the presentation of its remaining experts on tourism, agriculture and landscape/visual impacts regarding the project.
Mayor Clark said Council’s legal representative provided a compelling case to the panel arguing that the Hepburn Shire is unique and that its significance to the region and greater Victoria should not be overlooked.
“Since 2021, Council has worked with the community to oppose the Western Renewables Link Project that would see 80-metre-high transmission lines run through the Shire,” said Cr Clark.
“Hepburn Shire is made up of agriculturally significant areas, high value landscapes, heritage significance, biodiversity, and a thriving tourism economy and the WRL project will only devastate these unique qualities,” he said.
Council is opposed to the AusNet Transmission Group project in its current form and is calling for a full underground solution that would significantly lessen the impacts of the current proposal.
Mayor Clark said the Council and Hepburn Shire community will continue to be involved in the process, concluding in March/April next year when a recommendation from the panel will be given to the Minister for Planning. It is anticipated that a decision will be handed down mid-late 2026.
“We would like to commend our community for remaining passionately involved in the process. Thank you for showing up in person, online and participating in the process,” the Mayor said.
