General News
20 May, 2025
Transmission line voice needed for all councils, says Straub
COUNCILS along the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line needed a voice, said Loddon Mayor Dan Struab. Cr Straub last Friday said the withdrawal of both Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shires from a five-council...
COUNCILS along the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line needed a voice, said Loddon Mayor Dan Struab.
Cr Straub last Friday said the withdrawal of both Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shires from a five-council alliance had been with “clarity for their reasons”.
Yarriambiack councillors last week voted to leave the alliance, a week after Northern Grampians made the same decisions.
Mayor Kylie Zanker said: “After extensive discussion and thoughtful consideration, our councillor group has decided to withdraw from the Alliance. “As a council, we recognise that the Alliance’s primary focus is on the VNI West project, which does not affect our Shire directly”.
“The VNI West project has a substantial footprint and impact on the Loddon, Northern Grampians, Gannawarra and Buloke Shire residents, which requires their councils total focus and advocacy efforts”.
Cr Straub said he was meeting this week with Loddon landowners impacted by VNI West plans.
“The Alliance had good intentions to be working for the best outcomes.”
Withdrawal of the two councils comes after it had been reported the five shires had reached agreement for a share in $100 million community support.
However, those reports were later dismissed as incorrect by the councils.
Cr Straub said he was yet to hear from the Alliance’s remaining members.