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Energy Transition

 

Wimmera Southern Mallee Development is working with the local community to understand, based on evidence, if renewable energy projects will increase or decrease farming profitability and resilience – and if future developments will increase the broader livability and prosperity of communities in our region. 

We also support regional businesses to work towards achieving net zero to maintain their market access and export competitiveness.

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Navigating the energy transition…together.

WSM Development is working with both community and and renewable energy developers to navigate the challenges of a transition to clean energy.

In November 2023 we took a group of community leaders to the Surat Basin to learn how communities to investigate first-hand how a region traditionally driven by agriculture managed the complexities of transitioning due to the increasing presence of energy and mining infrastructure planned for the area. This group continues to discuss how these learnings can be explored in our region.

Since the beginning of 2024 we have regularly brought together several renewable energy developers who are active, or plan to be active, in the region. They’ve been introduced to community representatives across First Nations, health, education, youth, industry and employment. WSM Development will continue to facilitate this collaboration moving forward, with the aim of ensuring our region significantly benefits from billions of dollars to be invested in these projects over the next 10 years.

Grampians New Energy Taskforce

The Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNET) is a group that represents, leads and advocates for the development of a net zero carbon economy in the Grampians region.

WSM Development is a member of GNET, which works with communities, the renewables industry and the government to maximise the long-term benefits and capture business opportunities that the energy transition will offer to the Grampians region and its people.

Whilst acknowledging that the transition presents some challenges, we are also looking at ways to minimise the risk to communities and businesses.

Read Keeping the Lights on and Enabling Renewable Innovation Report 15 February 2023 by WDA and GNET (January 2023)

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