Project News

Western Renewables Link Local Business Update October 2026

Welcome to the second edition of the Western Renewables Link Local Business Update.

AusNet ground control point roadside surveys commencing 12 October 2026

AusNet will be conducting ground control point roadside surveys at several locations along the propo…

AusNet acknowledges Minister’s assessment of the Western Renewables Link and Premier’s independent assessment of project costs

AusNet acknowledges the Victorian Premier’s announcement of an independent assessment into costs of …

AusNet to conduct flyover inspections - BATS to BETS and BATS to BGTS lines

AusNet will be conducting inspections along the Ballarat to Bendigo (BATS-BETS) transmission line on…

AusNet ecology ground-truthing roadside surveys occurring 4 August 2026

AusNet will be conducting ecology ground-truthing surveys at locations along the proposed project ro…

Postponement of scheduled survey - mapping and imagery data via light aircraft to commence Wednesday 29 July 2026

AusNet will be conducting light detection and ranging (often known as LiDAR) and aerial mapping surv…

AusNet to capture mapping and imagery data via light aircraft commencing 25 July and undertake ecology surveys in Ballan 28 July

AusNet will be conducting light detection and ranging (often known as LiDAR) and aerial mapping surv…

Western Renewables Link Local Business Update July 2026

Welcome to the first edition of the Western Renewables Link Local Business Update.

AusNet ground control point roadside surveys commencing 20 July 2026

AusNet will be conducting ground control point roadside surveys at several locations along the propo…

AusNet cultural heritage roadside field surveys in Lexton commencing 8 July 2026

AusNet will be conducting cultural heritage surveys on the Sunraysia Highway (between Forest Road an…

Waubra community celebrates new playground with WRL support

The Waubra community has celebrated the opening of its new playground, marking the completion of a l…

AusNet cultural heritage roadside field surveys in Waubra extended to 19 June 2026

AusNet is extending the cultural heritage surveys on Glenbrae-School Road and Beaufort-Waubra Road i…

AusNet cultural heritage roadside field surveys in Waubra commencing 25 May 2026

AusNet will be conducting cultural heritage surveys on Glenbrae-School Road and Beaufort-Waubra Road…

AusNet cultural heritage roadside surveys in Waubra commencing 4 May 2026

AusNet will be conducting cultural heritage surveys on Glenbrae-School Road and Beaufort-Waubra Road…

AusNet to conduct aerial inspections – BAT to HOTS and BATS to BETS

AusNet will be conducting inspections along the Ballarat to Bendigo (BATS-BETS) and the Ballarat to …

Attend our free grant application writing workshops

The WRL $4 million Local Grants Fund will support locally-led projects that strengthen communities a…

AusNet cadastral roadside field survey week commencing 27 April 2026

AusNet will be conducting a cadastral survey on public roads during the week commencing 27 April 202…

Project update - Special edition Local Grants Fund now open

Welcome to this Western Renewables Link (WRL) project update, which marks the opening of the WRL $4 …

Project update - special edition WRL Benefit Sharing Program October 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link (WRL) project update. This update introduces the WRL Benefit …

AusNet to conduct flyover inspections - BATS to HOTS

AusNet will be conducting thermal imaging inspections along Ballarat to Horsham (BATS to HOTS) trans…

Project update September 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link (WRL) project update. This update provides information about …

AusNet to conduct flyover inspections - BATS to BETS and BATS to BGTS lines

UPDATE 26 August: Due to poor weather and low visibility this week, the flyovers will be rescheduled…

New mobile towers to fix blackspots in western Victoria

Improving mobile connectivity is a priority for communities along the proposed Western Renewables Li…

Project update - special edition EES public exhibition progress August 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. With the exhibition period now past its halfw…

AusNet roadside surveys - July 2025

AusNet will be conducting vegetation assessments on public roadsides in the Pyrenees Shire and North…

Project update - special edition EES now on public exhibition July 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. Here you can read about the project’s Environ…

Project update - special EES edition June 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. This special edition focuses on the upcoming …

Project update June 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. Here you can read about the latest updates on…

AusNet roadside surveys - June 2025

AusNet vegetation assessments roadside field survey week commencing 10 June 2025

Project update April 2025

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. Here you can read about the latest updates on…

AusNet roadside surveys March – April 2025

Throughout March and April 2025, AusNet will be conducting Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys with…

AusNet roadside surveys February 2025

Throughout February 2025, AusNet will be conducting Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys and environ…

AusNet roadside surveys February 2025 – R Charleson Road, Creswick

Throughout February 2025, AusNet will be conducting Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys within publ…

AusNet helicopter flyover today

Following recent storm activity, a fault has been detected on the BATs-HOTs lines between Waubra and…

AusNet State Park and roadside field surveys in January 2025

On 29 January 2025, AusNet will be conducting Soil resistivity testing on Olympic Avenue, Mount Clea…

Project update December 2024

Welcome to the final Western Renewables Link project update for 2024. This update provides a recap o…

AusNet State Park and roadside field surveys throughout December 2024

Throughout December 2024, AusNet will be conducting ecology surveys at Lerderderg State Park and Abo…

Project update November 2024

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. In this update you can learn more about what …

AusNet roadside surveys week commencing 11 November 2024

AusNet and Powercor will be conducting distribution powerline surveys from the week commencing 11 No…

AusNet to capture mapping and imagery data via light aircraft

Update 10 October: The aerial mapping works outlined below were completed on 10 October 2024.

Community engagement activities and new online resources

We are seeking community feedback on the project through an online survey, and at an upcoming commun…

Ballan pop-up session change

The Ballan pop-up information session planned for this Monday 16 September 2024 will no longer proce…

Project Update - August 2024

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. In this update you can learn more about updat…

Proposed route and Bulgana terminal station update

We would like to provide you with the latest information on proposed terminal station works near Bul…

The Western Renewables Link shortlists potential delivery partners

The proposed Western Renewables Link project has taken an important step in planning this critical p…

Project update - June 2024

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link project update. In this update you can learn more about neigh…

Western Renewables Link proposed route north of Waubra

We would like to provide you with the latest information on changes to the proposed route for the We…

Project Update - April 2024

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link April project update. In this update you can learn more about…

AusNet to conduct helicopter transmission line repairs

On Friday 19 April 2024, we’ll be carrying out minor repairs to existing transmission lines between …

New landholder guide and webinars on farming and easement safety

Updated information about easement safety and permitted activities is now available for landholders …

Project Update - March 2024

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link March 2024 project update. In this update you can read more a…

ESC Land Access Code of Practice

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has developed a Land Access Code of Practice which will come…

Local business register and new fact sheets

A local business register and three new information resources are now available on the Western Renew…

Project Update - December 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link December 2023 project update.

Project Update - December 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link December 2023 project update.

CFA information about firefighting near transmission lines

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has recently released more information about how firefighting is ma…

Project Update - November 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link November 2023 project update. In this update you can learn mo…

Project Update - November 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link November 2023 project update. In this update you can learn mo…

Project update - October 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link new project update. Here we’ll regularly share a summary of c…

Project update - October 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link new project update. Here we’ll regularly share a summary of c…

Project update - October 2023

Welcome to the Western Renewables Link new project update. Here we’ll regularly share a summary of c…

Upcoming community information webinars

The Western Renewables Link project team will be hosting webinars in November to provide information…

Newlyn community information session change

The Newlyn community information session planned for this Thursday will no longer proceed.

Upcoming community information sessions

We are holding community information sessions throughout October and webinars in November to discuss…

Western Renewables Link project update

We would like to provide an update on recent changes to the Western Renewables Link project.

AusNet to conduct flyover inspections - BATS to BETS and BATS to HOTS lines

AusNet will be conducting inspections along the Ballarat to Bendigo (BATS to BETS) and Ballarat to H…

AusNet safety signage regarding 3m operating height

AusNet recently installed new safety signs in some locations under existing transmission lines, incl…

Environment Effects Statement update

On 22 August 2023, the Minister for Planning confirmed that an Environment Effects Statement will be…

Western Renewables Link leadership update

We welcome Malcolm Tinkler as General Manager of the Western Renewables Link project. Malcolm has an…

Environment Effects Statement update

As a result of proposed changes to the Western Renewables Link, AusNet has referred the project, in …

Australian Energy Market Operator Victorian Planning Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for VNI West

The Australian Energy Market Operator Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid have released the Proje…

AusNet to conduct flyover in western section of proposed Western Renewables Link route

UPDATE 11 May: Due to recent poor weather and low visibility, the planned light aircraft flyovers fo…

New compensation landholder guide & construction fact sheet now available

More detailed information is now available for landholders within the proposed Western Renewables Li…

Consultation Report released on VNI West project

AusNet and the Western Renewables Link (WRL) project team have welcomed the release of the Consultat…

Update on proposed terminal station and Environment Effects Statement submission

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) announced on 2 December 2022 that it is investigating o…

AusNet to capture mapping and imagery data via light aircraft

UPDATE 5 October: Due to poor visibility, this work is not yet finished and a few more hours of flyi…

New landholder guide available as latest round of community information sessions conclude

The Western Renewables Link would like to thank everyone who attended our recent community informati…

Update to the proposed Western Renewables Link route

As a result of further investigations and additional information collected, AusNet has refined some …

Western Renewables Link boosts leadership team

We have bolstered the project leadership team for the Western Renewables Link to further enhance con…

Upcoming community discussion dinners and drop-in sessions

As we prepare to submit our Environment Effects Statement later this year, we would like to invite y…

Further refinements to the Western Renewables Link proposed route

Over the coming months we will further refine the proposed route, leading to the project's final pro…

AusNet to conduct Cultural Values Assessments ground and aerial surveys

AusNet Services along with Elders and other Traditional Owners will be conducting surveys for Aborig…

Webinar recordings and new fact sheets now available on the website

The Project endeavours to keep the community informed of the latest events and technical findings.

New online engagement room

An online engagement room has launched today for communities to find out more about the Project.

AusNet to conduct Cultural Values Assessments ground and aerial surveys

AusNet Services, in conjunction with Elders and representatives from Traditional Owners, will be con…

Register for upcoming community Q&A webinars

The Project will be hosting webinars for the community to ask questions about the project.

Community Engagement Report for June to December 2021 available on project website

EES Submission Update

Essential Services Commission seek feedback on the Statement of Expectations for land access in Victoria

Community Update December 2021 now available

New venue for information session Sunday 12 December 2021

Releasing more EES Preliminary Information Sheets

Webinar recording on proposed route available now

Proposed route identified

Thank you for your continued interest in the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP).

Improved website for the WVTNP

We are very excited to share the improved website for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Proj…

AusNet Services releases new EES Preliminary Information Sheets

The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) is subject to an Environment Effects State…

AusNet Services release new WVTNP Landholder Guide

The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) today released the Landholder Guide: Land …

Ongoing commitment to community engagement

Community input is critical to major projects to ensure that all potential impacts and opportunities…

Webinar recordings are live on the website

Thank you to everyone who attended a WVTNP webinar in September.

One-on-one meetings with specialists

Come and talk to the technical specialists conducting investigations into the Western Victoria Trans…

Webinars with technical specialists

In late September our technical specialists will be holding a series of webinars on a range of impor…

Field surveys across the proposed WVTNP transmission corridor

Since we announced the single corridor for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP)…

Upcoming WVTNP webinars

Working together to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in western Victoria

AusNet Services acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the proposed Western Victo…

Important environmental studies are continuing

We’ve reached an important step in identifying our preferred single corridor for the proposed Wester…

AusNet Services announces the proposed single overhead corridor

In February, following many months of community consultation and land investigations, we refined the…

AusNet releases two more fact sheets focused on land access and key approvals

The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) is progressing.

Living and working with the WVTNP summary guidelines

Thank you for your continued interest in the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP).

Community Consultation Groups up and running

The first meeting of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Community Consultation Groups (CCGs) …

Thank you for attending the community drop-in sessions

Thank you for attending the community drop-in sessions

Seeking feedback on the corridor options via the online interactive map

We are seeking your feedback on the corridor options via the online interactive map, to add to the i…

Community Drop-in Sessions March 2021

WE VALUE YOUR INPUT – JOIN US AT OUR COMMUNITY DROP-IN SESSIONS

Environment Effects Statement Community Consultation Plan Released

We invite you to read the Environment Effects Statement (EES) Consultation Plan, which is now availa…

Corridors announced and calls for nominations to Community Consultation Groups (CCGs)

Following consideration of community consultation and feedback, along with early investigations, Aus…

April to November 2020 Community Engagement Summary Report now available

In 2020, the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) entered the environmental assessm…

Environment Effects Statement (EES) Final Scoping Requirements Released

After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements for the Western Victoria Tran…

Community Update - December 2020

As we wrap up the year, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has participated…

The role of the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process in the development of the WVTNP

AusNet Services recognizes the growing community interest in the decision-making process that inform…

Meet the team at a community drop-in session in Melton

Meet the team at a community drop-in session in Melton

Online information session about the Environment Effects Statement (EES) Draft Scoping Requirements

Questions about the process:

Have your say on the Environment Effects Statement Draft Scoping Requirements

The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project will undergo an Environment Effects Statement (EES…

Area of Interest map closing 30 October 2020

Thank you to everyone who has provided us feedback on the Western Victoria Transmission Network Proj…

Meet the team at a community drop-in session

Planning is underway as we work together to unlock Western Victoria’s renewable energy to grow busin…

Transmission lines and bushfire

The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project team is listening to your concerns about bushfires…

Environment Effects Statement process set to begin

Environment Effects Statement process is set to begin for the Western Victoria Transmission Network …

Participate in our Questions and Answers webinar

Over the past week, hundreds of people have joined us on the Western Victoria Transmission Network P…

We're listening to your feedback

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us and provided feedback via our website so far.

Project Introduction: A major investment in western Victoria's future

Welcome to the first update on the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project.