AusNet Services (AusNet) has established a community advisory group to help inform its Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone™ project (G-REZ™).
The G-REZ Community Advisory Group (GCAG), which met for the first time last month, is a key part of AusNet’s commitment to involve the community in the development of the project.
A diverse range of individuals have been appointed to the group representing landowners proposed to host infrastructure, local communities, community groups, agriculture, local government, environmental, business and industry groups.
Experienced senior executive and Gippsland local, Mary Aldred, was elected by members to serve as the GCAG’s inaugural Chairperson. Ms Aldred brings to the role significant experience as a board director and chairperson of community advisory committees coupled with strong facilitation skills and extensive networks throughout the Gippsland region. She has most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Franchise Council of Australia and prior to that was the CEO of the Committee for Gippsland.
Ms Aldred said she looked forward to working with members of the group and AusNet representatives to ensure the local community is involved in the G-REZ project.
"It was very clear from the first meeting that the group’s membership represents a wide range of interests and there is a really diverse range of views, skills and expertise amongst the group,” she said.
“Everyone is really passionate about ensuring a sustainable future for the region and there was a real commitment amongst members to work constructively to get the best outcome for all stakeholders involved in the G-REZ project."
"The GCAG provides members with the opportunity to work directly with AusNet to help shape the G-REZ project and I’m looking forward to having some really robust discussions amongst the group in the months ahead."
Members also elected Wendy Bezzina to the role of Deputy Chairperson.
Wendy has a keen interest in projects that benefit the community and leave a positive legacy for the next generation. She brings to the GCAG more than 25 years’ experience across a range of sectors including health, government, manufacturing, waste, social enterprise management and social procurement.
The GCAG will assist the team by providing local input and feedback about key elements of the project, supporting the development of the project’s community benefits scheme and creating an effective forum for discussion and exchange of ideas and views regarding the G-REZ project.
The group will meet every two months.
View the media release <a href="https://admin.grez.com.au/media/20221212-G-REZ-Media-Release-Community-Advisory-Group-established-for-G-REZ-project.pdf">here</a>.

Community Advisory Group established for G-REZ project

AusNet Services (AusNet) has submitted its environmental referrals to the state and federal governments for the Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone™ project (G-REZ™).

These referrals are an important first step in defining the requirements AusNet will need to meet to receive state and federal government approvals for the project.
A referral has been submitted to the Victorian Government under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to determine if an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required for the G-REZ project.
In addition, AusNet has submitted a referral to the Federal Government which identifies and outlines how it will assess nationally and internationally important flora and fauna, ecological communities and heritage places under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
AusNet’s General Manager Infrastructure, Damien Sanford, said the G-REZ project is in the early development phase.
“We’re still engaging with landowners and conducting a number of technical and ecological studies to better understand our current preferred route,” Mr Sanford said.
To coincide with the submission of the referrals, AusNet will be hosting three community pop ups in locations near the preferred transmission route as well as holding an online webinar.
“These build on the pop ups we hosted earlier this year and the ongoing engagement we’ve had, and will continue to have, with landowners, neighbours, the broader community and other key stakeholders as we work through this project,” Mr Sanford said.
“I’d encourage anyone who wants to learn a bit more about the G-REZ project to visit one of our pop ups and have a chat with members of the team or register for the webinar.”
Both referrals will be published online in the coming days on the relevant government department websites, with the EPBC Act referral to be open for public comment for 14 days.
“We’d encourage people to provide submissions during the 14-day comment period for the EPBC referral,” Mr Sanford said.
Nominations have also opened for the G-REZ Community Advisory Group which has been established as a key avenue for community involvement during the project.
The Community Advisory Group will play a key role in providing local feedback about key elements of G-REZ as well as supporting the development of the project’s community benefits scheme.
“We’re looking for representation from a range of stakeholders including local community groups, the farming and agricultural sector, local government, business and industry, training and education and environmental groups,” Mr Sanford said. 
Nominations are open until 23 September 2022.
View the media release <a href="https://admin.grez.com.au/media/20220912-G-REZ-Media-Release-Environmental-referrals-submitted-for-G-REZ-project.pdf">here</a>.

Environmental referrals submitted for G-REZ project

Nominations are now open for the Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone™ (G-REZ™) Community Advisory Group (GCAG).
The GCAG is being established as a key avenue for community involvement during the project.
It will assist the team by providing local input and feedback about key elements of the project, supporting the development of the project’s community benefits scheme and creating an effective forum for discussion and exchange of ideas and views regarding the G-REZ project.
We’re keen to hear from local community members interested in being a part of the GCAG who represent a range of stakeholder group interests in the region including local community groups, agriculture, local government, business and industry, training and education and environmental groups.
To apply, please submit responses to the following questions to <a href="mailto:info@grez.com.au">info@grez.com.au</a>. 
What are your interests and motivations in being a member of the GCAG?
What skills and experience would you bring to the GCAG?
What networks, community groups and other organisations are you a member of or have connections into?
Where are you located?
All nominations will be treated as confidential. 
Please mark the subject of your response email ‘nomination to the GCAG’. 
Please include your contact details with your responses to the above questions. 

A copy of the GCAG Terms of Reference is available to download <a href="https://admin.grez.com.au/media/20220807-G-REZ-Community-Advisory-Group-Terms-of-Reference.pdf">here</a>.
Update: Please note that due to the recent declaration of Thursday 22 September 2022 as a national public holiday, we have extended the closing date for applications by one week. Applications are now due by 5PM Friday 30 September 2022.

Nominations open for Community Advisory Group

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