VicGrid seeks feedback

REPRESENTATIVES of the State Government’s VicGrid were in Leongatha recently discussing renewable energy and transmission infrastructure development and associated community views, while calling for further feedback.

That feedback is wanted on the draft version of the ‘Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Community Benefits Plan’, which is intended to help ensure lasting benefits are delivered to communities hosting new transmission and renewable energy infrastructure as it is developed across Victoria.

The draft plan indicates that landholders who host new electricity transmission infrastructure will receive payments of $8000 per kilometre of typical easement area per year for 25 years.

It states that REZ Community Energy Funds will fund projects that improve energy outcomes, or create benefits from the energy transition, for communities in regions hosting REZs and new transmission infrastructure.

The draft plan also states the Victorian Government will work in partnership with traditional owners of land in REZs and related transmission corridors to design benefit initiatives.

“Transmission companies will make benefits available to Victorians whose land is near and significantly impacted by new transmission infrastructure,” it is stated.

Furthermore, it is noted that benefits outlined in the draft plan are in addition to existing compensation arrangements.

VicGrid is a new government agency responsible for planning and developing Victoria’s transmission infrastructure.

Those wanting to have a say on the draft plan are encouraged to read it and then complete the relevant survey, with June 16 the cutoff date.

Visit engage.vic.gov.au/vtif-rez-community-benefits to view the draft plan and complete the survey so your views are considered in the development of the final REZ Community Benefits Plan, which is intended to be released late this year.

Those who attended the drop-in information session at the Leongatha Memorial Hall, or the community workshop that followed also learned about the results of VicGrid’s ‘Renewable Energy Planning Survey’, undertaken between last November and February this year.

It is stated that 55 percent of respondents in the Gippsland region agree that renewable energy generation projects and transmission infrastructure are necessary to tackle climate change.

The survey results for that region also indicate that 53 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree those elements are needed to make energy affordable in the future.

Melissa of Leongatha South, a former oil and gas industry executive, attended the evening workshop, being interested in alternative forms of energy and believing in the benefits of more renewables.

However, she made it clear she would prefer to see transmission lines go underground, believing that while that approach requires a substantially larger initial financial outlay, it would significantly reduce maintenance requirements caused by extreme weather events, and cut fire risk.

Mirboo North’s Ruth Rogan came along to learn more about potential community benefits for those in REZs, having a strong involvement in her community through her role with the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation.  

She is keen to see ‘legacy benefits’ flow to renewable energy infrastructure host communities, providing ongoing positive community impact rather than just funding a single infrastructure project, giving the Community Foundation as an example.

“The current proposal that’s on the table for community benefits in the draft plan doesn’t include any legacy benefits in that sense, so I was trying to give feedback around alternative structures,” she said.

Ruth believes community benefit funding shouldn’t be restricted to energy projects, with locals determining what they regard as priorities.