Transmission Company Victoria (TCV), Media Release, 4 October 2024
Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) is prioritising contact with landholders in communications about the planned route for the new transmission line.
TCV has narrowed the draft corridor for VNI West to a preferred easement of 70 metres along most of the route, subject to the Environment Effects Statement (EES).
TCV’s dedicated Landholder Liaisons are contacting people within the preferred easement through their nominated method, sharing details including an individual map showing the location of the easement on their land.
Landholder Liaisons will seek to meet in person to listen to concerns, answer questions on topics such as compensation, and discuss the next steps.
VNI West is a major project to build a new transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales. It will harness renewable energy in both states and maintain the reliability and security of electricity supply as coal – fired power stations retire and energy demand continues to grow.
VNI West Program Director Tony Hedley confirmed that conversations with landholders about the preferred easement started this week, ahead of a planned public release later in October.
“Landholders are our absolute priority. We want to reduce uncertainty by providing an early view to the people who are most likely to be directly impacted by this news, prior to publicly sharing the preferred easement in full,” he said.
“So far TCV has contacted more than 150 landholders who are directly impacted by the preferred easement, and follow-up meetings have been organised for the coming weeks to work through what the preferred easement will mean for them, their land and day-to-day activities.”
“In discussing the preferred easement with their Landholder Liaisons, landholders are wanting to know more about issues including compensation and land valuation – and we are well positioned to have these detailed conversations now that a preferred easement has been identified.
“Pleasingly, we’re getting hold of most people and while not everyone necessarily agrees with the project, they appreciate the updates we’re providing.
“We will also reach out directly to those people with properties neighbouring the preferred easement, as well as those whose property will no longer be directly impacted – acknowledging the time taken by many people across the draft corridor to engage with TCV and share information,” said Mr Hedley.
“The identification of the preferred easement will provide greater certainty to people across the draft corridor. It also means we can start more detailed conversations about what the project might mean for each landholder and their land, and how we can best work together as the project moves forward.
“We will continue to work with landholders to identify opportunities to minimise the impact to their farm operations, views, day-to-day movements, plans for future property improvements – and to answer any other questions they may have,” he said.
Mr Hedley said, “We acknowledge that unfortunately the process of refining the route for transmission is drawn out and complex and has created uncertainty for many people.
“This is an important decision, and we needed to take time to listen and to carefully assess all the information available to us to ensure we are coming to the best possible outcome.”
The process to refine the route for transmission has been shaped by 18 months of public consultation with communities and more than 600 meetings with individual landholders, along with the findings from field studies and technical and engineering assessments.
TCV will work closely with landholders as project design continues, and the preferred easement is assessed and confirmed under a comprehensive Environment Effects Statement process over the next 12 months. “
We expect to be in a position to publicly share a report detailing the Preferred Easement by late October, once we are confident that all impacted landholders have been given the opportunity to speak directly with their Landholder Liaison,” said Mr Hedley.
The Preferred Easement Report will outline the process of route refinement including environmental and other constraints considered in identifying the easement and how feedback from landholders, Traditional Owners, communities and authorities has shaped that path.
With approximately 550 landholders identified in the draft corridor, TCV acknowledges that the communication process will take time. Landholders are encouraged to contact their dedicated Landholder Liaisons or reach out to TCV directly on 1800 824 221. Please visit transmissionvictoria.com.au for further information.
