VicGrid hosted a series of community briefings to launch the preliminary design of the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework (VTIF). The public were invited to these briefings through a comprehensive media campaign. The briefings were also attended by regional communities, especially those impacted by the Western Renewables Links.
The briefings were held online to introduce the VicGrid team and explain their role, to promote the role and purpose of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), and to explain challenges with transmission. The briefings also introduced preliminary ideas on the new framework and sought to understand any questions or feedback the community may have – providing VicGrid with a ‘pulse check’ on the progress of planning reform in this space.
Capire worked with policy leads at VicGrid to refine presentation of VTIF, using plain language and visual communication design to convey complex policy ideas in simple formats, without losing nuanced messages.
Capire hosted six workshops with VicGrid leadership: one general session, which involved numerous stakeholders and industry players, and one for each regional community specific to each REZ. By undertaking a summary analysis of the questions and comments collected during each workshop, Capire collated a body of community feedback about the preliminary VTIF design. This helped VicGrid identify areas for improvement and establish the next steps required to develop the policy framework.
Since completing this program, Capire has provided strategic advice on developing a comprehensive community engagement framework to support the principles underpinning VTIF.
