Nine councils: $1.3 million advocacy win for regional readiness

Published on 31 August 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. We thank the Victorian Government for listening to our challenges and providing some financial support.

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.

ATTRIBUTABLE QUOTES

Attributable to spokespeople Mayor Cr Brian Klowss (Horsham), Mayor Cr Stuart King (Swan Hill), Deputy Mayor Cr Justine Hyde (Northern Grampians)

"The challenges and opportunities facing north-west Victoria don't stop at municipal boundaries. Our communities are experiencing the impacts of major energy, mining and infrastructure projects right now, and by advocating together we've been able to make a strong case for the support our region needs." – Northern Grampians Shire Council – Deputy Mayor, Justine Hyde.

"The Resource Ready Strategy provided the State government with a clear, evidence-based picture of what is coming and what support councils need to prepare for emerging industries. This funding is a direct response to that work, and recognition that regional communities should not be left to manage this growth alone." – Swan Hill Rural City Council - Mayor, Cr Stuart King.

"This is a significant step forward, but it is not the end of the journey. Resource Ready outlined 44 actions needed to help our region prepare for a once-in-a-generation economic transition. Today's announcement delivers progress on several of those priorities and gives us a strong foundation to continue advocating for the support our communities need to thrive." – Horsham Rural City Council – Mayor Cr Brian Klowss.