Moorabool council has wrapped up its main evidence at the Western Renewables Link (WRL) environment effects statement (EES) public hearing, outlining significant concerns about the project’s potential impacts on the community and landscape.
About 60 kilometres of the proposed 190-kilometre overhead high-voltage transmission line would cut through the shire from east to west, a route council says carries risks that have not been properly assessed or mitigated.
Over four days, council presented its case with legal and expert support, arguing the EES fails to adequately assess, avoid, or minimise a range of project impacts.
Where impacts have been identified, council maintains they are “unacceptable”.
Council is calling for AusNet Services to undertake further investigation before any decision is made, particularly around social, economic, bushfire, agricultural and visual impacts.
“Despite the additional costs, council considers the undergrounding full or partial to be a feasible, future-focused approach that reduces unnecessary impacts,” mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor said.
Council will continue to attend the months-long hearing as evidence from other councils, agencies and community members is examined. The process is scheduled to conclude in March, when Moorabool will also deliver its closing submission.
Council’s full written submission is available on its website.
Detailed information about the EES, next steps and daily hearing recordings can be found at engage.vic.gov.au/Western-Renewables-Link-IAC.
