It was a packed house at the Moulamein Recreation Reserve as community members from across the region gathered for the landholder information session on the proposed 500 kilovolt double circuit transmission line that will connect the Western Renewable Link project at Bulgana Victoria with the EnergyConnect project at the Dinawan substation north of Jerilderie. 

The purpose of the meeting was to provide locals with information about the work that has been done to identify the proposed draft corridor. Originally, there were six proposed corridors and through regional reference groups, traditional owners and a set of Transgrid priorities, a preferred route has been identified. 

It was made clear during the meeting by Neil Bull from the Rice Growers Association of Australia that they had not supported the now preferred option 1, leaving attendees wondering if community engagement would be akin to that seen under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

“There is no point at any of the regional reference group meetings (where) we ever supported or encouraged this route,” he said.

Michael Lloyd, Transgrid’s community and stakeholder manager, clarified that the Regional Advisory Group was not an endorsement or voting process, it was to help them understand the issues which Transgrid need to investigate. 

The six original options included three corridors southwest of Swan Hill and three corridors north west of Echuca Moama. 

Each proposed route was given a score based on the impacts against three main categories – technical, environmental, and social and community considerations. 

For instance, under social and community, the three Swan Hill routes were given positives scores, while the Echuca Moama routes were all negative. Ecology scores for the Swan Hill routes were -6, -11, -11, while the Moama route was 0, 0 and -8. 

Matt Rowlands, who was representing a community group effected by the planned route, said the time given for feedback to the draft corridor route was unsatisfactory, with community only having 18 days from the meeting until the August 4 deadline. The group has issued a letter to Transgrid demanding an extension of the feedback period to 90 days. Mr Rowlands also stated there were inaccuracies contained in the report which must be addressed. One glaring omission was contained on page 113 of the draft corridor report, which highlights flood prone land. None of the huge expanses of land between Murrabit, Gonn, Mellool all the way to Moulamein, taking in the Merran Creek, Wakool and Niemur River, were identified on the map as having been flood prone.  

The tower height and exclusion zones were also a hot topic for discussion. Moulamein farmer and chairman of SunRice, Laurie Arthur, found it hard to believe Transgrid had gotten to this point without engaging with SunRice on the issue with the planned current route crossing rice paddies.

“You’re talking about a $400 million industry that is going to be majorly impacted by this and we haven’t even been approached. We can give you the details and you really need to engage with us, because this is a serious enterprise change in the corridors you are identifying,” said Mr Arthur. 

Harry Mercer, Transgrid’s major project delivery director, moved to reassure Mr Arthur that those conversations were what they were seeking during the current feedback period, and Matt Rowlands chimed in reinforcing the need for an extension on the consultation process, an issue reinforced by a unanimous vote by attendees to extend the consultation period. 

While the current draft corridor is a 10-kilometre band looking to drill down to a more specific route, many were keen to hear how the lines would impact day-to-day farm operations. The final route will see a 70-metre easement with restriction around burning off, machinery height, tree plantings and aerial operations. Machinery cannot exceed 4.3 metres in height while travelling under the lines, which set a minimum line height of 12.3 metres from ground, providing an 8-metre buffer. Farmers are encouraged to notify Transgrid if the clearance height is insufficient. A 60-metre aerial exclusion zone exists around the lines and any tree plantings near the line cannot exceed 4 metres.

Acquisition of the easement will be by negotiation with Transgrid, and if an agreement cannot be reached following the six-month period after the initial offer or letter of intent is issued, Transgrid may take steps towards compulsory acquisition under the Just Terms Act. 

Transgrid will be seeking to obtain access agreement with landholders to allow them on to properties with a sweetener of a participation fee of $10,000 for two years’ access. If a line is constructed on a property, landowners will receive the just terms remuneration for the easement and a strategic benefit payment of $200,000 per kilometre over 20 years with CPI.

The 186-page draft corridor report, along with landholder guides, can be found on the Transgrid website. 

It was fantastic to see a town hall meeting. There is no better way to share information, bring people up to speed and gauge the level of understanding, authenticity and competency of the agency or institution proposing changes, the ultimate ‘pub test’. Little wonder the Murray-Darling Basin Authority avoid them like the plague. 

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 20 July 2023.

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