The Victorian Government is introducing the Victorian Access Regime for renewable energy and transmission projects. As part of this change, VicGrid has released draft Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines, which set a new benchmark for how developers must engage with communities, landholders and Traditional Owners. These guidelines aim to ensure that engagement is genuine, early and inclusive. Public consultation on the draft has now closed, and finalised guidelines are expected before the end of 2025, with the new regime scheduled to come into effect in mid-March 2026.

Once finalised, compliance with these guidelines will be essential to secure connection to the state’s transmission network. Developers who fail to meet the expectations risk having access denied or revoked.

Key requirements for developers

While the guidelines are still in draft, there are nevertheless key takeaways relevant to developers from the expected changes. These include:

• Community-centric approach: Developers must demonstrate meaningful engagement with local communities, host and neighbouring landholders, and Traditional Owners early and throughout the project lifecycle.
• Social value & economic benefits: Projects must deliver tangible benefits to local communities, including initiatives that build capacity, create jobs, and align with community priorities.
• Transparency & accountability: Clear communication, fair agreements, and cultural safety are central to the guidelines. Developers will need robust engagement strategies and monitoring plans.
• Access authority applications: Compliance will be assessed through detailed submissions, including social impact assessments and engagement strategies. Non-compliance can lead to rejection or revocation of access to the transmission network.

Why this matters

These guidelines represent a significant shift in regulatory expectations. They will influence project timelines, land tenure agreements, procurement strategies, and stakeholder engagement practices. Developers who fail to adapt risk being denied access to the transmission network as well as delays, increased costs, and reputational impacts.

How HWLE can help

Our renewable energy team understands the complexities of these requirements and can assist developers prepare for their implementation. This includes:

• drafting and reviewing land tenure agreements to ensure compliance;
• developing engagement strategies that meet VicGrid’s standards; and
• advising on social value initiatives and procurement obligations.

To discuss how these changes may impact your projects, contact HWLE’s renewable energy team today.

This article was written by Matthew Powell, Partner.