Helping communities become sustainable and self-sufficient through the power of renewable energy.

Community partnerships and investment

A reliable energy system is essential for all Victorians, and the Western Renewables Link will play a critical role in securing our energy future. The communities that host this vital infrastructure are at the heart of making it possible. AusNet is committed to ensuring the transition delivers lasting benefits that will be valuable to these communities.

By investing in local skills, supporting businesses, and addressing the issues that matter most to communities — such as improved digital access, better health outcomes, affordable and reliable energy, and access to jobs and training — AusNet aims to drive regional economic development.

These efforts are focused on creating long-term opportunities for rural and regional towns along the proposed alignment, contributing to resilience and liveability in ways that align with local needs and priorities.

We’re working closely with local councils, community groups, businesses and industry partners to support community-led energy ambitions. These partnerships are:

Exploring what’s possible through engineering and feasibility studies
Mapping clear pathways forward with tailored energy roadmaps
Delivering practical solutions such as solar panels, battery storage, energy efficiency upgrades, microgrids and local energy trading systems

If you are a community in the project area and thinking about starting a community energy project, call our project team on 1800 WRL WRL (975 975) or email info@westernrenewableslink.com.au.

Current projects

Improving mobile connectivity in western Victoria

To address long-standing mobile blackspots in western Victoria, the Western Renewables Link project is investing over $3 million to build new communication towers in Lexton, Smeaton, and Coimadai. These upgrades will deliver improved 4G and 5G coverage, supporting local residents, businesses, and emergency services. The initiative responds directly to community feedback and aims to enhance safety, connectivity, and quality of life across the region. Additional tower locations are being explored in partnership with Telstra, pending project approvals.

Ballarat West Employment Zone

We have contributed $500,000 of in-kind services to deliver the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) Distributed Energy Assessments for organisations selected by the Ballarat Energy Network (which is part of the Committee for Ballarat). Our work on the BWEZ assessments is the first of many energy initiatives we are aiming to deliver for organisations in western Victoria to support their renewable energy objectives.

Ballarat Community Health

We have completed $150,000 worth of energy assessment services and provided over $200,000 for the installation of rooftop solar and accompanying batteries for BCH. This included an assessment of energy demand and use across its seven sites and providing advice on demand management, retailer and tariff selection and the optimal mix of additional infrastructure (solar and batteries). Five of the seven sites were assessed as suitable for rooftop solar upgrades with installation in progress.

City of Ballarat

We have delivered $370,000 of in-kind consultation services to the City of Ballarat for its North Ballarat Precinct Structure Plan. We worked with the local council and the Victorian Planning Authority to conduct an energy analysis to inform the renewable energy requirements and recommendations to encourage developers to build sustainable greenfield suburbs.

Pyrenees Shire

We have provided a $500,000 investment to deliver solar, battery and power upgrades at key community sites across the Pyrenees Shire. The proposed upgrades will improve energy resilience, reduce energy bills and help support emergency preparedness across the shire.

More information

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Businesses and suppliers

Renewables and environment