PROMOTING growth opportunities in the Wimmera to reach a $5 billion economy is a focus for the region’s peak advocacy body.

Wimmera Development Association executive director Chris Sounness said the region had a $3.3 billion economy – but the community should no longer accept business as usual.

He said a $5 billion economy within a decade was achievable – but community leaders needed to ensure they considered the potential for population growth within a changing climate that was posing significant challenge.

Preliminary planning stages are underway for an investment forum aimed at showcasing the Wimmera to its residents and to people and businesses who might invest in the region.

Mr Sounness said the forum, to occur within the next 12 months, would showcase investment opportunities in the region such as renewable energy and mining, and in key employment areas and support networks.

“Businesses – including those that exist locally and those that might invest in the Wimmera – need to be ready to deal with the changing environments in many definitions of the word,” Mr Sounness said.

"Opportunities around energy, for example, are huge, and there are ways to create it and use it. That leads to more job opportunities and more careers for people here.

“This investment forum will help tell those stories and share the opportunities to set us on the path to becoming a $5 billion economy.”

Mr Sounness said people should aspire to live in a region they wanted and deserved.

“Everyone in the Wimmera and southern Mallee are looking for a great place to live, with a healthy and productive landscape. They want a natural environment that is healthy and attractive and want the opportunity to get ahead,” he said.

“But what does that look like in 10 years’ time? We all have the power to shape what that looks like and we need to show leadership and aspiration in developing that strategy.”

GNET welcomes $370m investment recommendation for Western Victoria

19th July 2019

Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNET) welcomes the release of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) and is certain the strategic investment into Western Victoria’s transmission network will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the Grampians region and bringing it a step closer to achieving zero emissions.
The report released today is the third and final step in the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process. It provides recommendations for minor and major upgrades of the Western Victorian transmission network that will ensure future power-system capabilities and expand the diversity and availability of supply to the market, reducing the cost of power for consumers.
GNET Chairman Stuart Benjamin recognises that this is a great moment for renewables in the region and an investment into Western Victoria’s transmission network will go a long way toward helping develop a zero-carbon economy.
“A $370 million investment to strengthen the transmission network across Western Victoria to build a network that supports current and new energy developments is incredibly exciting for GNET.
“Adequate transmission capacity is critical to deliver benefits for both energy producers and consumers now and into the future.
AEMO short and long-term recommendations ensure that more green power can enter the network and electricity costs can be reduced.
“Western Victoria is already a hub for renewable energy developments and the state needs a network that can handle current and new large-scale wind and solar developments that are planned for the area in the coming years,” said Mr Benjamin.
This report provides the greenlight required for a statewide infrastructure program to begin. AEMO is undertaking a competitive process to appoint a successful tenderer to design, build, own and operate the new infrastructure.
“GNET looks forward to working with the approved tenderer and AEMO to help facilitate this important piece of state infrastructure and ensure the needs of industry and the community are met,” said Mr Benjamin.
Committee for Ballarat is working in partnership with the GNeT on developing a Regional Roadmap to Zero and CEO Mr Michael Poulton can see the regional benefits that will result from this transmission network upgrade.
“These investment recommendations in AEMO’s report will directly and positively impact the Grampians, Central Highlands and Wimmera regions, and result in long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.
“The flow-on effects of a project of this size will be in employment, economic growth and training and development opportunities, these are real benefits that will be felt across our communities for years to come,” said Mr Poulton.

Grampians: Decarbonising Victoria

4th July 2019

The Grampians region of Western Victoria is developing a Roadmap to Zero Emissions (R2Z) for supercharging the renewable energy system in Australia. The project will underpin new jobs and the decarbonising of Victoria.
The Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNeT) has commissioned the Victorian based and nationally recognised think tank group; Beyond Zero Emissions to develop Australia’s first regionally focused ‘Roadmap to Zero Emissions’ (R2Z). The R2Z will envision and guide the decarbonising of the complete Grampians region, which includes Ballarat, Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee.
GNeT have been working with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AENO) who have now recognised the Grampians region as one of Australia’s key renewable energy zones. AEMO anticipates that 5,000 MW of wind and solar renewable energy could be supplied to the national electricity grid from this part of Western Victoria by 2025.
GNet Chair Mr Stuart Benjamin says that while there are currently over $3 billion worth of wind and solar construction projects in planning or under construction in the Grampians region, creating over 2,000 construction jobs that are secure for the next three years, what next.
“What happens next, what else can we do to not only be 100% renewable but also a leading zero-carbon region in the future?
How can we leverage long-term regional benefit and new jobs by supporting the transition of the grid to a renewable energy system?
“The R2Z will help us think further ahead and explore how we can develop a zero-carbon economy to benefit our region while supporting all Victorians to reduce carbon emissions,” said Mr Benjamin.
Beyond Zero Emission plans to deliver a ‘For Discussion’ version of the R2Z or Grampians Roadmap to Zero Emissions for comment and consideration by late August 2019.
The Roadmap will assist Western Victorians to understand and influence renewable energy options as well as contribute to, and benefit from, an improved energy system and a more secure zero-carbon environmental future for all Victorians.
GNet is inviting Western Victorians to contribute their ideas, concerns and comments to the Roadmap via an online portal - https://engage.vic.gov.au/regional-renewable-energy-roadmaps/grampians-r2z
Committee for Ballarat in partnership with the GNeT is managing the Roadmap development by Beyond Zero Emissions. The project is being funded by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning largely via the Victorian Government’s New Energy Job Fund.
Committee for Ballarat’s CEO Mr Michael Poulton says the Roadmap is an exciting opportunity to support a localised vision of a zero emissions and Committee for Ballarat is delighted to be supporting Grampians New Energy Taskforce.
“The work of the Taskforce is both unique and crucial in helping to shape the environment in which we live and work,” said Mr Poulton.

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday March 21, 2018

Wimmera River injects $4.75 million into local economy

A study into the value of water for the environment reveal the Wimmera River contributed $4.75 million to the economy in 2017 with fishing competitions providing major boosts.

Last year's Horsham Fishing Competition on the Labour Day weekend injected around $400,000 into the region and Jeparit’s Easter event, $144,000.

Horsham Fishing Competition committee president Adele Rohde, speaking after the successful 2018 event, said information in the report was critical to the sustainability of the annual event.

"As a mostly volunteer committee, we don't have the resources or expertise to undertake this kind of detailed research and having that data is critical to us being able to attract support for future fishing comps," she said. 

"This year's long weekend included a lot of events around the fishing comp, creating a carnival type atmosphere in the town, and it's fantastic to see the people coming here to enjoy our beautiful river and all that is on offer in Horsham."

Wimmera Development Association has released the figures after further analysis of 2017 results from the Wimmera Southern Mallee Socio-Economic Value Recreational and Environmental Water study.

Wimmera CMA chief executive David Brennan said this analysis provided valuable information about water for the environment, which plays a key role in maintaining river health so activities like fishing competitions can occur.

“Although this study is still in its infancy, it’s exciting to read through the results and hear it direct from the local community and visitors from afar what the Wimmera River means to them.”

The Wimmera River analysis gives researchers baseline evidence for comparison during the four-year life of the study. Analysis also shows:

• The river contributes over $2.5 million annually in physical and mental health benefits.
• Fishing is the most popular activity (23.8%) followed by attending events (17.7%) and just relaxing (17.6%).
• Walking, running and exercising along the river were the activities people participated in most frequently.
• Horsham, Dimboola and Jeparit river users exceed Australian Government recommendations of five hours physical activity each week, with a weekly total of 8.4 hours.

WDA executive director Ralph Kenyon said the findings provided critical data for future investment and development of Wimmera River sites. One example is plans for a $3-million cycling-walking-camping trail, from Dimboola to Lake Albacutya near Rainbow.

“This study is giving us a better understanding of shared benefits from water for the environment including economic and social benefits,” Mr Kenyon said.

“It allows us to demonstrate the local and regional impacts water has in our region to help attract funding and other support for developing infrastructure and services. It also shows that previous investments such as the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, which provides a secure supply of water for the environment, continue to reap many rewards.”

WDA is coordinating the socio-economic research of 24 waterways in partnership with Wimmera CMA, GWMWater and six Wimmera Southern Mallee councils. The project is largely funded through the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria initiative with contributions from councils and GWM water.

2017 findings estimate the 24 surveyed waterways provide a total annual economic contribution of $27.5 million, attracting more than 437,000 visitors.

• WDA encourages people to contribute to Stage 2 of the project by visiting

https://wda.org.au/ and completing the online survey before March 31.

• Download the full report of the Socio-Economic Value of Environmental Water, Wimmera River Sites 2016-17 here: Wimmera River Economic Value

End of release