Three Renewable Energy Zones have been finalised for western Victoria, where are they?

The Victorian government has locked in the state’s six Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), which include three areas across western Victoria and the Central Highlands.

What’s a REZ? A REZ is an area identified by the government to host either solar, wind, hydro or battery storage facilities.

Where are they in West Vic? Three of the finalised REZs are:

• The Western Renewable Energy Zone, with one part between Stawell and Donald, the other part between Murra Warra and Hopetoun;

• The South West Renewable Energy Zone, between Darlington and Macarthur, and;

• The Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone, between Beaufort, Inverleigh, Cressy and Derrinallum.

A smoother transition: Tony Goodfellow, the policy and engagement manager at RE-Alliance, a non-profit advocating for better renewables in the regions told the Brolga that REZs were “not a silver bullet”. 

“They are a chance to move from a contested, project-by-project rollout to a more planned transition that sets clearer expectations for developers and delivers more lasting benefits for regional communities,” he said.

What if you live in a REZ? Goodfellow said individual landowners would still be able to decide whether they wished to host and earn income from a renewable energy project.

• “Being in a REZ does not mean every property will host infrastructure, and it does not bypass existing planning or environmental approvals,” he said.

• Communities will also still have a say on proposals, while developments will need to go through relevant assessment procedures.