The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning is seeking community feedback on its draft scoping requirements for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector, VNI West, Environment Effects Statement.

An Environment Effects Statement, EES, is Victoria’s most rigorous environmental assessment. 

It describes a project, its rationale and potential environmental effects, and enables stakeholders and decision-makers to understand how the project is proposed to be implemented and the likely environmental effects of doing so.  

The DTP leads the EES process, and has developed draft scoping requirements outlining the matters for assessment through a public consultation process.  

Community consultation is also an important part of the EES.

The proponent Transmission Company Victoria, TCV, plans to build a new transmission line between Bulgana, near Stawell, and New South Wales. 

The project aims to harness renewable energy in both states and maintain the reliability and security of electricity supply as coalfired power stations retire and energy demand continues to grow. 

But first the project must complete the EES process and obtain relevant Victorian and Commonwealth approvals before construction can commence.  Many landowners and farmers along the proposed route have so far protested the plan, preventing TCV staff from accessing their land and protesting throughout the process.

VNI West project director Tony Hedley said TCV would engage with landowners, communities and traditional owners as technical studies were carried out over a wide range of topics, including agriculture, bushfire risk, and social and economic impacts.  

Mr Hedley said TCV would share information about the EES studies and assessments and provide opportunities for the community to provide feedback, via its website as well as face-to-face events. 

“This is an important opportunity for community members to provide input on the VNI West EES scope,” he said.

“While this is one of two formal opportunities to provide input through the assessment and approvals process, TCV will continue to directly engage the community and seek feedback throughout the EES.”

DTP will outline the submissions process and answer questions about the draft scoping consultation at a webinar scheduled for Monday.

The draft scoping requirements will remain open for public comment until December 18.  

People can provide feedback via engage.vic.gov.au/vni-west-environment-effects-statement-ees-draft-scoping-requirements.

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