As Victoria's renewable transition accelerates, small towns are finding ways to make it work for them

David Clark, a third-generation farmer, says a new $330,000 playground in Waubra will bring much-needed connection to the local community. 

The funding comes as part of the development of the Western Renewable Link (WRL), a project run by AusNet. The energy developer is offering grants to locally-led projects across the seven LGAs set to be along the WRL route. 

Clark, who served as a councillor for Pyrenees Shire for more than 20 years, is a well-known and well-respected identity in the region. He says the potential funding on local projects the WRL offers could give small communities a rare opportunity at development.

🗣️: “Little towns miss out, in general, on big projects,” said Clark. “We don’t have the resources in the community you see in bigger places. There’s a lot more choices when [councils] turn over $250 million. More people, more choice.

“You don’t get these opportunities often in a regional community. It’s serious dollars”.

🔌 What’s WRL?  The Western Renewables Link is a proposed high-voltage electricity transmission line that will stretch 190 kilometres between Bulgana, in West Vic, and Sydenham, in Melbourne’s north-west.  The project is a critical piece of energy infrastructure in Victoria’s renewable transition 

AusNet has an open grants round offering funding to community groups of all shapes and sizes. 

It comes in response to community feedback calling for earlier benefits. $15 million has been made available during the development phase and is committed whether or not the project proceeds. Once the project enters construction, an additional $40 million will be made available.

The goal is to contribute to local projects based on priorities put forward by people who live and work in the area. 

The company is also holding in-person grant writing workshops for community groups. 

🧑‍🤝‍🧑The positive payoff: This funding is central to the new playground being built in Waubra, and Clark told the Brolga the benefit will reach far beyond entertained children. 

🗣️: “The playground is all about connection. It's a social connection. Parents will drop their kids off, and then think ‘I’m gonna hang around for 20 minutes and see if Julie or Harry or Suzie are around’.

“It’s a functional thing for the kids, and an important thing for the community and the parents. It really adds a lot to adult life. It’s a chance to chat and mix a bit more.” 

Connection needed: Social connection has been lacking in Waubra, with central hubs like the local pub closed for nearly 18 months. Passing conversation with neighbours and material ties between community members has suffered.

Another benefit of the new playground, according to Clark, is families from neighbouring towns making the trip.

💢 Needs convincing: The WRL has caused a stir in some regional circles, with concerns about how it will impact land. Clark attributes this to a lack of transparency on the state-level, and believes many families are protective of their land due to the personal history they feel is tied to their properties. 

“It’s a bit more than a house or property for people”, he said. “There’s generations in it.” 

🗣️: “The process needs to be fairer, more transparent. Sometimes you might not like the answer but you want to feel like you’ve had a fair fight.  They [WRL] have a bloody good story to tell – they’re not telling it very well.”

Ultimately, Clark told the Brolga it comes down to the greater good. 

“Even if there is a bit of angst, you need some pragmatic people that will go and utilise this money. External investment makes such a difference.” 

Up in the air: Whether the WRL project goes ahead will depend on the results of the November state election. 

The project has been the product of a Labor government, and the Coalition has not explicitly stated what would become of it should they form government in Victoria. 

The Brolga reached out to David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, multiple times for comment on the project’s future should the Coalition be successful in the election. No comment was returned.