General News
5 June, 2026
REZ map sparks debate: drawing the lines on energy zones
FOLLOWING the declaration of five onshore renewable energy zones and one ‘shoreline’ REZ, local voices have highlighted a degree of fluidity and uncertainty, with the boundaries of these zones as a major ongoing concern.
On Friday, May 29, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio confirmed the final design of the five onshore zones - South West, Central Highlands, Gippsland, Western (in two sections), and North West - as well as the Gippsland Shoreline REZ, following amendments to the draft released for consultation in November.
With Yarriambiack, Buloke and Hindmarsh shires, including the western section of the Western REZ and Northern Grampians Shire, including the entirety of the eastern section, the local reactions have been manifold.
VicGrid promoted its boundary adjustments as evidence of listening to community feedback as the primary driver for boundary refinements, but advocacy groups such as Farmers Fightback see a dichotomy between this claim and recent legislation “that allow VicGrid-authorised officers to forcibly enter private properties using ‘reasonable force”.
“90 per cent of landowners said no,” FF spokesperson Marcia McIntyre said.
“The government said: we don’t care.”
YSC mayor, Andrew McLean, acknowledged the intent of the announcement but also emphasised the importance of clear planning frameworks and community certainty.
“We welcome greater clarity around how renewable energy projects will be coordinated within designated zones,” he said.
“However, it is critical that prospecting and project development outside of the Renewable Energy Zones does not continue, as this is causing significant concern within our communities.”
Cr McLean further noted that priority must be given to establishing clear limits on renewable energy capacity within each zone.
In a media statement, Lowan MP Emma Kealy also took issue with the map’s history.
“In less than two years, Labor has released, revised and redrawn multiple versions of its Renewable Energy Zone map, which details the areas where it plans to concentrate the state’s wind, solar and battery projects,” the statement said.
“What began as broad study areas evolved into seven proposed zones, then six proposed zones, and has now been revised to five declared Renewable Energy Zones after significant boundary changes.”
NGSC deputy mayor, Justine Hide, noted, “The eastern section has been revised to increase distance from culturally significant landscapes and remove valuable conservation reserves and areas along the Wimmera River; however, council is still concerned that many areas of agricultural importance remain within the REZ.”
Cr Hide said she understood renewable energy and transmission line projects were highly emotive for many residents, particularly those directly impacted.
“We are closely following the situation between VicGrid representatives and landowners in the shire’s farming corridor as two transmission line projects – VNI West and Western Renewables Link – continue to unfold,” she said.
A VicGrid spokesperson said changes to the boundaries should be viewed as a positive outcome.
“The final zone reflects difficult decisions made through this consultation process, balancing energy needs, land use, environmental impacts and community concerns to deliver the best outcome for Victoria,” they said.
“By establishing these zones, we can better coordinate renewable energy projects and significantly reduce the need to build unnecessary transmission infrastructure.
“Zones also enable VicGrid to set much clearer rules around how projects gain access to the grid, including expectations for how developers must engage with local communities and deliver economic benefits and social value.”
While Horsham Rural City Council did not have any areas declared under the REZ, mayor Brian Klowss said they were focused on the impacts on housing, workforce, roads and agriculture.
“The Resource Readiness Strategy adopted by an alliance of nine councils across North-West Victoria outlines the challenges the region will face and need for a coordinated response,” he said.
“The strategy calls for the preparation an agricultural impact assessment of mining and renewable energy projects bespoke to north-west Victoria to ensure the protection of agricultural land, and Horsham Rural City will continue to advocate for this important work.”
Mr McLean said it was important to understand what the map was not detailing.
“With the Western REZ covering a significant geographical area, it is also important that the community clearly understands that the Government’s intention is not to develop the entire zone with wind turbines,” he said.
He also noted uncertainty regarding existing and proposed projects in relation to the newly declared zone boundaries.
“The declaration indicates that the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm is predominantly outside the eastern section of the Western REZ, and at this stage we are unclear what this means for the project,” Mr McLean said.
“These are the types of questions that need to be addressed for projects currently being planned outside of a Renewable Energy Zone.”
Ms McIntyre said the announcement was “not consultation”.
“This declaration was made in full knowledge that the overwhelming majority of affected landowners ... have explicitly and repeatedly rejected it,” she said.
“They are going to force renewable energy infrastructure onto farmers’ land, and devastate the food bowl of Victoria.”