Transmission Company Victoria (TCV), Media Release, 6 October 2023
Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) has, today [6 October 2023], released the draft corridor for the Victorian component of the VNI West transmission line project.
TCV has narrowed the area of interest for the proposed transmission line to width of about 2km. The area under consideration was previously up to 50km wide. The narrowing reflects input and feedback from landholders, community members, Traditional Owners along with technical assessments. Landholders will be able to see where their property is in relation to the draft corridor by entering their property details into a new interactive map available on the TCV website.
VNI West is expected to harness 3.4 gigawatts of renewable energy generation in Victoria, enough to power approximately 2.3 million homes and help bridge the reliability gap caused by the rapid retirement of coal-fired generation.
TCV is responsible for developing the Victorian section of VNI West, and since May 2023 we have refined the broad area of interest, which was up to 50 km wide to the approximately 2km draft corridor we are releasing today.
Going forward, TCV will work closely with landholders, communities and Traditional Owners to further narrow the draft corridor and find the best location for the 70m – 120m easement.
VNI West Project Director, Sam Magee, said: “In August 2023, we committed to contacting all landholders located within the draft corridor before publishing it.
“We have sent letters and information packs to all landholders in the draft corridor and in addition we have contacted approximately 40 per cent of these people.
“Our conversations with landholders have been largely respectful and constructive, with many landholders sharing important information about their properties and farming practices that will help us further refine the route.
“Not all the properties that are currently in the draft corridor will be in the final route for VNI West and understanding how landholders are using their land and any important features will enable us to find the best location for the final easement, with the least impact,” he said.
The published report shows that the draft corridor, which runs from the Murray River through to Bulgana, is more than 6kms away from major towns, including Charlton, Boort and Kerang. It also details how sensitive agricultural, environmental and cultural areas have influenced the work to refine the route.
An interactive map featuring the area of interest for VNI West was visited more than 4,000 times between late May and August 2023 and contributed to the draft corridor. Hundreds of people posted more than 2,300 comments on the map, identifying important features, including landmarks, cultural sites and sensitive habitats.
Almost 400 people attended TCV community meetings in July and TCV has regular workshops and meetings with Traditional Owners, local councils and important stakeholders across the project area.
“To help inform the community about the draft corridor report and next steps, we’re holding another round of community meetings over the next fortnight,” Mr Magee said.
“These community meetings will provide an opportunity for landholders and community members to have face-to-face discussions with the project team and find out more about how we will continue to refine the route.
“The corridor will be narrowed considerably through ongoing consultation over the next two years, from an average width of about 2km to an easement of 70m – 120 m.
“We recognise that VNI West has created uncertainty in communities and has been stressful for many people. We’d like to thank all those involved who continue to provide information to reduce the impact of this new transmission line,” he said.
Details of the upcoming community meetings [are] on the TCV website: here.
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