An announcement of the preferred easement for the Victoria to NSW Interconnector, VNI West, transmission line is expected to be publicly announced within weeks.

The draft two-kilometre corridor for the VNI West transmission line will be narrowed to a preferred easement between 70 and 120-metres along most of the route, pending ongoing assessments as part of the Environment Effects Statement process.

The project has attracted plenty of criticism and opposition, particularly from affected landowners in the area from Joel Joel, east of Stawell, extending north through near Marnoo and Donald areas.

Transmission Company Victoria, TCV, now has in excess of 100 land access agreements in place for properties in the VNI West draft corridor to allow survey work to continue.

TCV’s landholder liaisons have worked closely with landowners on their access agreements since August last year, allowing completion of more than 50 field surveys including ecological, historical heritage and noise monitoring assessments.

Depending on the area of land covered by the two-year land access agreement, landowners will receive payments of up to $50,000.

VNI West program director Tony Hedley said the surveys were essential to helping the project team and independent authorities understand existing land uses and to reduce possible impacts on farms and farming.

“Our main objective is to find the most suitable location for the preferred easement that minimises impacts to farms and farm operations, balanced with consideration of the environment and other site constraints,” he said.

“We recognise the best way to truly understand the land is through on-site investigation, and landholder support in this effort has been invaluable.

“Access for field surveys is voluntary, and in every case, access terms are discussed and agreed.

“This ensures survey teams obey farm rules, such as biosecurity protocols, including thorough washdown of boots, equipment and vehicles with disinfectant cleaner on entry and exit from every property.”

Mr Hedley said TCV had taken on board specific requests from landowners, such as conducting ecology surveys on foot rather than in vehicles during wet weather, to minimise impacts to the land and access tracks.

“Information gathered from landholder feedback and farm surveys has helped shape the preferred easement for transmission, in some cases providing critical data on intensive irrigation infrastructure, or plans for new houses or sheds,” he said.

On signing an access agreement, the landowner is entitled to an access payment in recognition of the potential inconvenience and time spent in negotiating the agreement and providing access.

Landholders willing to provide survey access to their properties, ahead of the preferred easement release, are encouraged to contact their landholder liaisons – following the preferred easement release, the areas required for survey access will be reduced.

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