A plan to upgrade the energy network in the Tyrendarra region has gained the backing of the state leading infrastructure advisory body, says Liberal MP for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year Infrastructure Strategy called for the upgrade to three phase power.
Ms Britnell said the advisory body put the ball in the state government's court, adding it should help fund power supply infrastructure upgrades.
"The report says if these upgrades will unlock investment and will bring benefit to existing users, the state government should provide funding," Ms Britnell said.
"This project ticks those boxes with projections showing the $8.7 million investment would unlock $2 million a year in gross regional product growth.
"Making these upgrades will have huge benefits for our whole region and not just the agriculture sector."
She said the upgrades were essential to ensure energy generated by renewable energy projects could actually be fed into the grid and be used in homes.
Ms Britnell said the recommendation was a big win for the team of locals who have been passionately pushing for these upgrades.
"People like Bruce Knowles, Oonagh Kilpatrick and the Great South Coast Food and Fibre Network led by Georgina Gubbins have been highlighting the need for this upgrade for years," she said.
"This recommendation from the state's top infrastructure advisory board is a major boost for their campaign.
"I've raised this matter in Parliament several times and am now calling on Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio to adopt this recommendation and provide funding to finally get this upgrade happening."
A Victorian government spokesperson said the recommendation would be considered, as the state worked to improve energy infrastructure.
Distribution network upgrades are assessed and approved by the Australian Energy Regulator.
In 2020, Powercor, the private local network provider, unsuccessfully applied for approval to upgrade the local Tyrendarra, Strathdownie, Cape Bridgewater and Gorae West network.
