Concerns raised in the southern region of the project, from Bulgana near Stawell to Swanwater, west of St Arnaud, included ecological vegetation, proximity to Landsborough West townships, cultural heritage, wetlands and nature reserves.
VFF president Emma Germano said the preferred easement announcement again highlighted Victoria’s failure to adequately plan the state’s transition to renewable energy.
Ms Germano said the VFF believed the approach taken so far had involved inadequate consultation with affected communities and a disregard for the impact on strategic agricultural land.
“From the very outset of this process, we’ve witnessed a reality that steamrolls over the voices and rights of those in farming communities set to be impacted,” she said.
“Farmers have been asking completely reasonable questions about how this infrastructure will impact their production, safety, and how they will be compensated for their losses.
“So many of these questions remain unanswered, yet Victoria is ploughing on through with this transmission line.
“VNI West will traverse over some of the state’s most important agricultural land. These are areas of strategic significance for Victoria’s economy, yet this has never been factored into the planning of the line.”
Ms Germano said as part of its submission to the Victorian Transmission Plan, the VFF had emphasised the importance of safeguarding specific areas from renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, despite this work, we understand that both the VNI West project and the Western Renewables Link will not be covered by the government’s new transmission plan,” she said.
“The VFF is calling on the Victorian government to pause both projects immediately.
“It’s vital these projects are re-evaluated under the guidance of the Victorian government’s transmission planning, rather than simply pushed through by the Australian Energy Market Operator.”
Marnoo cattle, sheep and wheat farmer Billy Baldwin said the community would fight, even if it came down to compulsory land acquisition.
Mr Baldwin faces about 1.4 kilometres of lines through his property.
“We are not going to give it to them, we will have to stand at the gate,” he said.
“The company now plans to get a transmission licence, so they can get more power over us, a bigger stick. But to us it makes no difference, we will be ready to fight. We will protect our community, our home and our right to farm.”
Restrictions
Gre Gre farmer Jason Barrett said the one-kilometre line through his property would also restrict the way farmers could farm.
“We harvest in summer and there will be temperature restrictions also, not being able to use machinery underneath the lines. We need to farm on warmer days because that’s the nature of farming,” he said.
“There is no way we are going to lay down. We are united in our fight.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud said VNI West powerlines would rip up prime agriculture land, cutting through about 250 farms and private properties in regional Victoria.
Mr Littleproud said the preferred route showed Labor was choosing to put ideology before food production amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“The farming community is devastated by this decision, but is determined to fight it. The Nationals 100 per cent support our Victorian farmers,” he said.
VNI West program director Tony Hedley said TCV staff had spoken with more than 180 landholders within the preferred easement and had more than 30 follow-up meetings to answer questions on topics such as compensation, land valuation, land access, options to minimise impacts to individual farms, and to discuss the next steps.
“The release of the preferred easement provides more certainty for many people, and means we can work directly with landholders in the easement to gain a comprehensive understanding of their land, farming operations and businesses,” he said.
“These conversations are important to help design the project while minimising impact to each property, and to ensure all landholders receive fair and reasonable compensation.
TCV will host community information sessions at Stawell on November 14, as well as Charlton on November 12 and Kerang on November 13, from 4pm to 7pm.
The sessions will provide an opportunity for people to find out more about the project and how to participate in the EES assessment process. More details will be advertised in local newspapers and on the TCV website.
The entire November 6, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
