“We’re just not backing down from being at the gate – we’re going to be at the gate and we’ll certainly make sure that they don’t get access to our farms,” he said.
“Plus we’ve got over 24,000 supporters on board now since we started our Farmers Fightback campaign. So that wasn’t even in place last time they came.
“Every time they come and try and access our land, it’ll grow bigger.
“Once you drill down into it, this is a huge violation of property rights and people in towns and the city should be taking a lot of notice of this because if they can get away with this, they’ll get away with anything they want.
“This is complete madness, and we are here to stop it.”
VNI West aims to improve Victoria’s access to reliable electricity as coal-fired power stations close, with the transmission lines allowing new renewable energy to connect to the grid and strengthen connections between Victoria and New South Wales.
The State Government body claims that since 2023, more than 170 landowners across the project area have agreed to survey access, enabling more than 300 private property surveys to be completed.
But Mr Duxson said it was ‘trickery of figures’.
“People agree to it, but they’re not even on the VNI West line, so why would that count? They’re not going to be involved in an EES,” he said.
VicGrid also said it had issued Notices of Proposed Entry to landholders at 26 properties between Stawell and Murrabit, where access for critical ecology surveys had not been agreed.
“It’s a lot more than 26 landowners against it – we know of heaps more places,” Mr Duxson said.
“They didn’t go to most of the places last time, so I can tell you that’s everyone that’s got something on a creek line.
“The ones with without a creek line going through their paddocks, they don’t get these ecological tours.”
Framework for access
Chief executive Alistair Parker said VNI West was a crucial project, and the surveys would help minimise impacts and protect farms and the environment.
“Our strong preference is always to reach voluntary agreements with landholders, because that gives them more say over when and how access happens, including timing, access points and biosecurity,” he said.
“We will continue to engage respectfully and seek voluntary agreement, while recognising that all Victorians are relying on us to deliver this project and keep the lights on.”
Mr Parker said VicGrid had made extensive attempts to reach voluntary agreement with the group of opposing landholders and was providing clear notice in line with legislative requirements, including obligations relating to safety, respectful conduct and biosecurity.
He said the State Government had established a framework for land access, and where access cannot be agreed, VicGrid would work through the steps of the framework respectfully with landholders.
Mr Parker said landowners receiving ‘notices of proposed entry’ would also be contacted by a VNI West landholder liaison, who could explain what the notice meant in practical terms and continue discussions about voluntary survey pathways.
Where access is impeded, authorised officers may issue warnings, directions or infringement notices for refusing, obstructing or unreasonably delaying entry, carrying a maximum of four penalty units, equating to about $800.
Mr Parker said refusing access did not affect whether the project proceeded.
“The project will be assessed through the EES process; however, without access, there may be gaps in information where assumptions must be made,” he said.
He said landowners were offered financial recognition for enabling environmental assessments, including access payments between $10,000 and $50,000 scaled to the area provided for surveys.
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