Almost 200 community groups and local volunteer-led organisations across western Victoria have applied for Western Renewables Link (WRL) local grants.
The $4 million Local Grants Fund is part of the WRL Benefit Sharing Program, which includes a multi-million dollar community investment designed to directly respond to the challenges of those living in the areas most affected by the proposed transmission line.
Western Renewables Link Director Kate O’Carroll said the significant response to the fund, which closed at the end of June, highlights the community’s desire for support for local initiatives from the project’s grants program.
“The response from the local community to the Local Grants Fund has been incredibly strong with some exciting ideas put forward, from solar panels and battery projects to community gardens and support for emergency services,” Ms O’Carroll said.
“The fund is about backing ambitious, community-led ideas that create a lasting legacy and the calibre of ideas received is a testament to the community really thinking big. With so many strong proposals, the independent assessment panel has a challenging task ahead.”
Applications for up to $300,000 in funding were received from all seven eligible local government areas along the proposed project route, with community infrastructure the most popular of the five categories, followed closely by community connection.
Funding will be delivered regardless of whether the WRL project proceeds to construction, enabling communities along the proposed route to access practical benefits now.
The Independent Local Grants Review Panel, made up of community representatives and subject-matter specialists who applied to participate, will now begin the assessment process. Successful applications are expected to be announced towards the end of 2026. Applying for or receiving a grant does not indicate support for WRL or affect anyone’s right to oppose the project.
The WRL Sponsorship Program, which supports locally-driven events, activities and initiatives through an initial $250,000 available during WRL’s development phase, is still open for applications. More information is available on the WRL website.
About the Western Renewables Link
The Western Renewables Link is a 190-kilometre 500 kV overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from near Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west. The project is critical infrastructure required to unlock the renewable energy potential of western Victoria and will deliver clean energy to all Victorians. AusNet is contracted by VicGrid to develop and deliver the electricity transmission project, which will connect wind and solar energy generators in Western Victoria to the grid, powering more than one million homes across the state.