Council submits its primary WRL EES submission

Published on 20 August 2025

Pyrenees Shire Council has submitted a primary Western Renewables Link Environmental Effects Statement (WRL EES) submission to the Joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC).

The primary submission has already been lodged within the required timeframes. However, Council has been granted an extension to make a further detailed submission by 5 September following feedback from three community drop-in sessions and EES technical reports analysis.

Key initial submission themes include impacts on:

• Biodiversity and habitat
• Aboriginal cultural habitats
• Landscape and visual amenity
• Land use planning
• Bushfire ignition risks
• Economic outcomes
• Agriculture and forestry
• Noise and vibration
• Transport
• Social cohesion

Mayor Tanya Kehoe said the initial submission accurately reflects what Council has heard from its communities about the WRL’s impacts.

“We stand with our community, and we also want to help our impacted communities get as much compensation as they can,” Cr Kehoe said.

“We will leave no stone unturned to provide a final submission that is in the best possible interests of our Pyrenees Shire communities.”

Following submission closures, an IAC directions hearing will be held on 5 September, with public hearings beginning the week of 27 October.

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny will assess the EES, public submissions and recommendations through the IAC’s report and may recommend project changes. The project then requires several approvals, including the State and Federal Governments.

Council will also:

• Continue to promote public awareness of the project
• Take part in the IAC hearings
• Advocate for best possible outcomes for impacted landowners and local communities
• Publish its submission and related materials at engage.vic.gov.au/western-renewables-link and provide updates after the IAC report is released.