A REVIEW commissioned by Greater Shepparton City Council and undertaken by Sequana has assessed the Victorian Transmission Plan’s Central North Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and found that the eastern extension, covering Pine Lodge, Cosgrove, and Dookie, includes some of Victoria’s most productive cropping land.
During this review, the eastern extension was introduced without prior public consultation from VicGrid. This new section stretches eastward within the Greater Shepparton local government area (into the Benalla LGA) and includes land of high agricultural value and cropping yield.
Council officers have since made a submission to VicGrid outlining its concerns, while requesting VicGrid to:
- Refine the eastern REZ boundaries to exclude high-value farmland, flood-prone areas, and land with significant infrastructure investment.
- Remove irrigated land east of McEwen Road from the western REZ.
- Engage Traditional Owners to identify and protect cultural heritage sites.
- Conduct detailed environmental assessments, including impacts on nature reserves.
- Clarify assumptions in Scenario 2 of VicGrid’s modelling, particularly regarding wind generation and infrastructure needs.
- Implement a targeted two-month community engagement program for the eastern REZ.
Council, supported by Sequana, undertook community and stakeholder engagement to inform its submission to VicGrid. The process included targeted interviews and an online survey that received over 200 responses.
Participants were questioned about awareness, perceived impacts, and expectations surrounding VicGrid’s REZ planning. According to Council, the consultation revealed dissatisfaction with the introduction of the eastern REZ, primarily due to the lack of prior consultation and limited clarity regarding project implications.
Council has also reported that landholders expressed strong concern around the loss of productive farmland, landscape change, and perceived inequities in benefit distribution. Saying that the review stated that the lack of engagement significantly undermined community confidence and recommended a more transparent and inclusive consultation framework moving forward.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said Council’s submission to VicGrid aims to balance Victoria’s renewable energy goals with Greater Shepparton’s agricultural and community values.
“The transition to renewable energy must not come at the cost of our region’s most productive farmland or without proper consultation. We’re calling for a fair, transparent process that respects local priorities,” said Cr Sali.
“Residents told us they feel blindsided by the eastern REZ. They are frustrated, and there is distrust, and uncertainty about what this means for their livelihoods and our region’s landscape. We brought this to the attention of our community, and we are now calling on VicGrid to engage meaningfully with landholders before any decisions are finalised.”
To read Sequana’s full Central North REZ Review, visit: https://greatershepparton.com.au/assets/files/documents/governance/meetings/2025/11/10.5_Cent ral_North_Renewable_Energy_Zone_Analysis_.pdf.
