A plan to upgrade the energy network in the Tyrendarra region has gained the backing of the state leading infrastructure advisory body, Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell says.
Infrastructure Victoria’s 30-year Infrastructure Strategy released on Thursday backs what local farmers have been calling for and recommends upgrading the existing network to make it capable of delivering three phase power.
Ms Britnell said the advisory body put the ball in the Andrews Government’s court saying it should help fund power supply infrastructure upgrades.
“The report says if these upgrades will unlock investment and will bring benefit to existing users, the state government should provide funding,” she said.
“This project ticks those boxes with projections showing the $8.7 million investment would unlock $2 million a year in gross regional product growth.
“Making these upgrades will have huge benefits for our whole region and not just the agriculture sector. These upgrades are essential to ensure energy generated by renewable energy projects can actually be fed into the grid and be used in homes.”
Ms Britnell said the recommendation was a big win for the team of locals who have been passionately pushing for these upgrades.
“People like Bruce Knowles, Oonagh Kilpatrick and the Great South Coast Food and Fibre Network led by Georgina Gubbins have been highlighting the need for this upgrade for years,” she said.
“This recommendation from the state’s top infrastructure advisory board is a major boost for their campaign.
“I’ve raised this matter in Parliament several times and am now calling on the Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio to adopt this recommendation and provide funding to finally get this upgrade happening.”
