United advocacy delivers $1.3 million saving ratepayer funds
Published on 07 September 2026
A campaign by nine north-west Victorian councils has secured a $1.3 million State Government funding package to help communities prepare for the unprecedented growth, investment, challenges and opportunities being driven by renewable energy, mining and major infrastructure projects across the region.
Since early 2026, the Northwest 9 council alliance has worked collectively to ensure governments understand both the challenges and opportunities facing communities at the centre of Victoria's renewable energy transition and critical minerals development. That advocacy culminated in the release of the Resource Ready: North-Western Victoria Energy & Mining Impact and Readiness Strategy.
The strategy highlighted a pipeline of renewable energy projects, mining projects and major transmission projects across north-west Victoria, bringing into sharp focus the scale of change facing local communities.
It identified growing pressure on housing, transport networks, workforce accommodation, local infrastructure and council planning resources, and called for a coordinated government response to help communities navigate these changes and ensure councils are not left to manage the impacts alone.
The Victorian Government has now responded with a $1.3 million package that will provide additional support for council planning capacity through the Regional Planning Hub program. In addition, the Victorian Government has committed to progressing studies that will determine the transport and road network impacts associated with major projects and workforce accommodation and related regional infrastructure requirements.
The funding package was developed collaboratively by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Department of Transport and Planning, Regional Development Victoria and VicGrid in response to priorities identified through the Resource Ready Strategy.
The $1.3 million commitment represents an important first step in responding to the recommendations outlined in the Resource Ready Strategy and supports the Alliance's ongoing push for a coordinated, place-based approach to regional economic transition.
Important notes from council
- This funding removes pressure on member councils to allocate ratepayer funds towards the above-mentioned next steps.
- Council's involvement with the Northwest-9 is part of our overarching advocacy strategy and aligns with our Renewable Readiness and Financial Sustainability priorities. You can read more about these priorities on our website, here.
- The Northwest-9 council's includes Northern Grampians Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, Yarriambiack Shire Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, West Wimmera Shire Council, Loddon Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Council, Buloke Shire Council and Gannawarra Shire Council.