Business & Rural
19 June, 2026
Small Charlton cohort comes out to VicGrid info sessions
VicGrid held community information sessions in Charlton last week to talk about the North West Renewable Energy Zone, answer questions and share information about what this means and what will happen next.
CHARLTON residents had the opportunity to come face-to-face and find out a bit more about where renewable projects in their area were about.
VicGrid held community information sessions in Charlton last week to talk about the North West Renewable Energy Zone, answer questions and share information about what this means and what will happen next.
There was also an opportunity for community to learn about the Environment Effects Statement for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West project and seek further information about the project in general.
The sessions were attended by 16 community members with positive and constructive conversations taking place, and many great questions raised.
“We want to thank everyone who took the time to come along to our community information sessions in Charlton last week,” VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said.
“It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the community.
“We really value the feedback we received from community and appreciate the time and effort people took to attend these sessions.”
“We’ re committed to making sure regional communities are well engaged and see real benefits from the development of the new renewable energy sources that will power our homes and businesses as coal closes down.”
The topics raised were about social value and procurement in the region, with some more general comments about the level of renewable energy project development, and specific questions from landholders in the VNI West project area.
Renewable energy zones are areas identified as the best places to host wind, solar and battery storage projects. They will ensure better coordination of renewable projects and reduce the need for unnecessary transmission lines and other infrastructure.
Zones will allow VicGrid to implement clear rules that manage how projects gain access to the grid, including expectations for how developers engage with community, which is included in the recently released Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.
They’ll also provide greater certainty about how and where renewables projects should be built and unlock new economic benefits for regional communities and Traditional Owners.
VicGrid is also running two Community Webinars on June 16 and 23, to provide further detail about renewable energy zones, the Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines and Victorian Transmission Plan.
Read More: Charlton