Council to present closing submission at the Western Renewables Link

Published on 02 March 2026

Moorabool Shire Council will present its closing submission at the Environmental Effects Statement Hearing for the proposed Western Renewables Link (WRL) transmission line today (2 March 2026).

The Hearing has been running for 14 weeks, with evidence presented from technical experts and submissions from the proponent and impacted councils, government agencies, organisations and community members.

Mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said more than 50 community members and groups from Moorabool Shire presented submissions at the Hearing.

“Thank you to our community for the considerable time and effort taken to participate and share their experiences,” Cr Venditti-Taylor said.

Council will take the opportunity today to provide a closing submission responding to evidence and submissions presented since December, on the topics of social, bushfire, biodiversity, heritage, agricultural, landscape, visual, economic and tourism impacts, as well as on undergrounding and planning matters.

“Despite the additional costs, Council considers full or partial undergrounding to be a feasible, future-focused approach that reduces unnecessary impacts,” Mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said.

Following closing submissions from Moorabool and neighbouring councils Hepburn and Melton, the Proponent (AusNet Services) will wrap up the Hearing with its closing submission tomorrow (Tuesday).

Council will keep its community up to date as the WRL EES progresses over the coming months, with the Minister for Planning’s assessment anticipated to be released sometime in mid-2026.

To access timestamps of hearing audio recordings and Council’s project updates for the entire hearing, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au/transmissionlines

For information on how to observe the WRL Hearing online or in person, visit engage.vic.gov.au/Western-Renewables-Link-IAC