Study identifies energy and mining impacts and priorities

Published on 24 March 2026

The Gannawarra is positioned at the centre of northwestern Victoria’s energy and mining transition, yet the municipality faces some of the most significant readiness challenges compared to other municipalities in the region.

This was one of the key fundings of the Resource Ready North-Western Victoria Energy & Mining Impact & Readiness Strategy, presented at Council’s March 2026 meeting for noting.

Gannawarra Shire was one of nine councils located across northwestern Victoria that engaged with Urban Enterprises to identify the potential impacts of renewable energy and mining projects in the region, understand the economic impacts that could result from these works, and find actions and levers that local governments can apply to capture economic opportunities, mitigate issues, and maximise benefits that flow to the community.

The report found that the Gannawarra faces some of the most significant readiness pressures of all the councils that took part in the study, with acute housing shortages, limited labour capacity, strain on agricultural productivity, weak telecommunications, and existing infrastructure constraints, particularly around Kerang, identified as factors that will limit Council’s ability to capture economic benefits from these projects.

“The Gannawarra contains one of the region’s largest clusters of renewable energy proposals, with multiple solar farms, battery storage projects and wind farm developments, with the municipality also part of a mineral sands resource corridor stretching from Horsham through Yarriambiack and Buloke to Gannawarra and Swan Hill,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

“While the expansion of renewable energy supports emissions reduction and long-term economic diversification, the scale and concentration of development may place pressure on housing availability, workforce supply, agricultural productivity, water resources and local infrastructure if not proactively managed.”

The report recommends that the nine councils can prepare for the transition by:

• Advocating for support from higher levels of government to expand housing supply, including modular worker accommodation and build‑to‑rent opportunities, as well as all relevant infrastructure.
• Identify preferred worker accommodation locations in towns where services are available.
• Partner with TAFES, workforce agencies and project proponents to develop local training pathways in electrical trades, civil construction and plant operations, logistics and transport, and community care and services.
• Seek State and Federal investment in priority local road, telecommunications and electricity supply reliability improvements.
• Ensuring residents have access to clear, accessible information explaining the scale, timing and nature of upcoming projects, and that opportunities are available for resident to voice their concerns, particularly around amenities, agriculture, and land use.

“Northwestern Victoria’s energy and mining transition also need to provide lasting opportunities for the future of these municipalities and its residents,” Mayor Smith said.

“The projects proposed for the region in the coming years will alter the face of our communities, and it is important that there are benefits for our residents now, as well as in the next 20-40 years.”