Support could include specialist planning expertise, assistance with strategic and statutory planning work, advice on major project assessments, environmental assessment processes, and planning for housing, transport and infrastructure needs arising from major developments.
The Northwest 9 council alliance has worked collectively since early this year to ensure governments understand both the challenges and opportunities facing communities at the centre of Victoria’s renewable energy transition and critical minerals development.
The strategy identified growing pressure on housing, transport networks, workforce accommodation, local infrastructure and council planning resources, and called for a co-ordinated government response to help communities navigate the changes and ensure councils are not left to manage the impacts alone.
The government has also committed to progressing studies that will determine the transport and road network impacts associated with major projects and workforce accommodation and related regional infrastructure requirements.
Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss thanked the government for listening to the region’s challenges and providing some financial support, but said while it was a significant step forward, it was not the end of the journey.
“Resource Ready outlined 44 actions needed to help our region prepare for a once-in-a-generation economic transition. This announcement delivers progress on several of those priorities and gives us a strong foundation to continue advocating for the support our communities need to thrive,” he said.
Northern Grampians deputy mayor Justine Hyde said the challenges and opportunities facing north-west Victoria did not stop at municipal boundaries.
“Our communities are experiencing the impacts of major energy, mining and infrastructure projects right now, and by advocating together we’ve been able to make a strong case for the support our region needs,” she said.
The funding package was developed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Department of Transport and Planning, Regional Development Victoria and VicGrid in response to priorities identified through the Resource Ready Strategy.
A State Government spokesperson said Labor was ensuring councils had the planning resources to support new housing, transport and infrastructure in their communities.
“Through the Regional Planning Hub program, we’re giving regional councils access to additional planning expertise and support so they can assess new projects and plan for future growth,” he said.
“The faster we can build new transmission lines, the faster we can connect renewable energy to the grid and the cheaper our energy prices will be, this support will enable the communities to benefit more from the renewable transition.”
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