Transmission Company Victoria (TCV), The Buloke Times

Community members in the Buloke Shire are encouraged to share their interests and concerns with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) to help shape the development of workforce accommodation for the VNI West project.

Recognising that many areas in the VNI West project corridor face housing availability and affordability challenges, we’re inviting input on our approach to developing workforce accommodation. We are committed to understanding how we can progress VNI West in a way that meets local needs and creates long term, permanent housing solutions for communities impacted by the project.

The new workforce accommodation portal on the TCV website provides information about VNI West’s workforce accommodation requirements and provides a new channel for community members to share ideas on TCV’s approach to developing accommodation, and longer-term housing solutions. The portal is also where owners of land can submit an Expression of Interest for their properties to be assessed as possible locations for use by the project during construction.

“We are committed to delivering long term housing benefits for local communities impacted by VNI West and our priority is to develop workforce accommodation that does not put any additional strain on existing local housing stock, services or infrastructure,” said TCV spokesperson Claire Cass.

“We understand that housing availability and affordability are challenges that many areas in the project area are facing.

“Through the VNI West Social Value Reference Group, we are working directly with local Councils and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities to deliver lasting community benefits in areas including training and skills development, energy access and housing solutions,” she said.

As early planning for construction begins, TCV must identify potential workforce accommodation and construction laydown sites and assess their suitability through a rigorous impact assessment as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.

In parallel with determining permanent housing solutions, TCV is seeking sites via the Expression of Interest process that are suitable for:

• Temporary workforce accommodation – up to three sites of about 12 hectares each to accommodate up to 200 people each at peak construction; or
• Construction laydown areas – up to eight sites of about 5 hectares each; or
• Combined accommodation and laydown area sites.

Loddon, Gannawarra, Northern Grampians and Buloke Shire Councils recently met with TCV, providing region specific insights to the selection criteria for the Expression of Interest process to support identification of suitable workforce accommodation and construction laydown sites.

Site selection criteria include proximity to the preferred easement, main road connections, opportunities for legacy benefit creation, flood overlay and ecology considerations, topography, bushfire risk, availability of services, cultural heritage matters as well as proximity to towns and existing dwellings.

Each site submission received will be assessed against the criteria and then reviewed alongside other land options available; where a site is ultimately selected for assessment, an initial access payment to the property owner will be made for EES site survey and due diligence purposes.

If a site is deemed suitable for use, it is likely that TCV would seek to enter into a commercial lease agreement with the property owner, for which TCV would pay rent.

Workforce accommodation for VNI West includes the lodgings and infrastructure required to house the project’s employees and contracting staff. Construction laydown areas will store construction materials and equipment, including storage and stockpiling facilities, vehicle and equipment storage, demountable site offices and amenities.

These sites will be required for the duration of construction, plus approximately six months prior to and after construction. Once construction is complete, sites will be remediated to pre-existing condition as detailed in an individual Property Management Plan, prepared by TCV in consultation with site owners.

Owners of land within or close to the VNI West project area are encouraged to visit the workforce accommodation portal to learn more and submit an Expression of Interest: www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/vni-west-workforce-accommodation.

About VNI West

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 improve the reliability and security of electricity supply as coal fired power stations retire and energy demand continues to grow. As coal-fired power stations retire, new renewable energy generation will be built to fill the supply gap. New transmission lines are needed to connect this power with our homes and businesses and improve reliability. In Victoria, a preferred easement of 70m wide along most of the route has been identified. The easement runs from Bulgana to near Kerang and then across the border into New South Wales.

Construction is scheduled to commence after all approvals have been obtained, in 2026.

About TCV

Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) is a company created by AEMO Victorian Planning to progress the VNI West transmission project. TCV will discuss the VNI West transmission project with landholders, Traditional Owners and the community to understand local concerns as the project moves toward construction. As AEMO is the system planner and will not physically construct or own the transmission lines, it established TCV to make sure that commitments made in the early stages are captured and honoured across the life of the project. TCV will provide project updates and will work with the community on this important transmission line. For more information, head to www.transmissionvictoria.com.au.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 18 February 2025.