Council welcomes 'game changing' KerangLink

Published on 23 November 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council welcomes the Federal and State governments’ commitment to invest in KerangLink, which will enable current and future large-scale renewable energy projects to be constructed within the municipality and across northwestern Victoria.

To be completed by 2027, KerangLink will connect Victoria and New South Wales’ electricity network, with the upgrading of current infrastructure and development of new transmission lines enabling local renewable energy facilities to feed into the national grid.

“This renewable energy superhighway is passing though the Gannawarra, and will be a game changer for our communities, thanks to the creation of employment opportunities and vast investment" Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O'Reilly said.

“This project would not be possible without the support and advocacy from our local, State and Federal government colleagues. These include Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster; State Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio; State governmental departments; Mallee Regional Partnership; Murray River Group of Councils; and the Loddon Campaspe Group of Councils.”

The project will enable approved renewable energy projects to proceed, in what is a “game changer” for the Gannawarra, by setting up North West Victoria as the nation’s largest renewable energy zone.

“Gannawarra Shire Council is committed to make the municipality the renewable energy capital of Australia, with KerangLink pivotal to Council achieving this goal,” Council Economic Development Manager, Roger Griffiths said.

“The Gannawarra is already home to Australia’s largest integrated battery and solar farm, and KerangLink will enable a range of large scale developments to proceed with confidence. We also expect other developments to leverage off this announcement.

“KerangLink will have flow-on benefits for residents now and into the future. With 2,000 jobs to be created during construction, there will be huge demand for local services and accommodation over many years.  Then there’s the additional jobs that will be created during the construction of each new renewable facility that will also benefit the local economy.”