Council opposed to overhead transmission line

Published on 05 September 2025

Council has made a submission to the exhibited Western Renewables Link (WRL) Environment Effects Statement (EES) and Planning Scheme Amendment GC209, opposing the fully overhead transmission line.

Approximately 60km of the proposed WRL 190km overhead high-voltage transmission line runs directly through Moorabool Shire from east to west.

Council has proactively advocated for the project to be undergrounded since it was first announced in 2019.

“Council remains opposed to the project going ahead in its current form,” Mayor Cr Paul Tatchell said.

“An overhead transmission line would be a scar on the landscape and have unacceptable impacts for Moorabool Shire.”

Council’s submission covers a range of technical matters to address broad project impacts on Moorabool Shire, its community and environment.

Concerns raised in the submission include but are not limited to bushfire, social, agriculture, visual amenity, traffic, economic, heritage and biodiversity impacts.

“We thank every community member who made an individual submission, because all your voices are important,” Cr Tatchell said.

The next step in the EES process is a public hearing chaired by an Inquiry and Advisory Committee. The hearing is scheduled to commence on 27 October 2025 and if the hearing cannot be concluded prior to the holiday period, it will continue from mid-January 2026.

Council will be represented at the upcoming hearing by a highly skilled and experienced legal team and intends to engage several independent experts. 

To view Council’s full submission online, visit

moorabool.vic.gov.au/transmissionlines

To view the exhibited EES online, visit

westernrenewableslink.com.au/planning/ees-landing/

To access detailed information about the EES and next steps, visit

engage.vic.gov.au/Western-Renewables-Link-IAC