Future energy is one of the themes that will be explored at the 2018 Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Assembly this month.
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One of the key issues facing the Wimmera Southern Mallee is long-term energy security for the region and the state as a whole. Identified as a key priority by several of Victoria’s regional partnerships, the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership is working to ensure that the region has a comprehensive future energy network and is able to take advantage of our potential for renewable energy.
The region has high renewable energy resources including wind, solar, biomass, and land.
However, growth of the sector is limited by grid capacity, as well as regulation and integrated development.
There are a number of issues that need to be resolved to help us to achieve long-term energy security within the region including:
- Uncertainty around energy policy and the role of renewables.
- Lack of understanding about the energy market.
- Regional grid capacity.
- Benefits for farmers and the broader community.
- Opaqueness of industry activity.
- Lack of public/private alliances.
- Planning approvals’ complexity and speed.
- Fragmentation of projects and industry.
- Lack of clear strategy and governance.
- Lack of local manufacturing and maintenance capability.
The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership has recognised that there are opportunities to improve our energy capabilities and is seeking further community support to raise these issues with the Victorian government.
If you are interested and passionate about this issue, please register to attend the 2018 Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Assembly on Wednesday, May 30, 5.30-8.30pm.
Other key themes to be explored at the assembly include improving service co-ordination across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee, strategic regional planning and improving education outcomes for the region.
You can register by logging on at engage.vic.gov.au/wimmera-southern-mallee or contribute to the conversation via the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership's Facebook page or our webpage.