Agriculture
28 April, 2026
Biosecurity doubt despite VicGrid’s staff training
LANDOWNERS on the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line have raised new concerns about biosecurity risks to their farms.
LANDOWNERS on the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line have raised new concerns about biosecurity risks to their farms.
Colin Fenton says he remains unconvinced that VicGrid teams trying to enter his properties have appropriate biosecurity protocols to follow.
Mr Fenton will deny access to farms at Lake Merran this week, risking fines under new State Government laws.
“They talk about biosecurity but there’s no measures that I am satisfied with as these teams travel from property to property,” he said.
“Procedures should be a lot more than at the start and the end of the day,” he said. “Travelling along our roads, who knows what can be moved from one area to another.
“It’s not just the VicGrid staff. What about the security details with them when they arrive at our farm gates?”
VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker said: “We take biosecurity seriously because we know how important it is to farming operations and regional communities.”
“The best outcomes happen when landholders work with us through voluntary access agreements, because that allows them to set clear conditions on access before anyone enters their property.
“Our goal is always to undertake this work safely, respectfully and with the least possible disruption to the landholder and their business. With good planning, agriculture and energy infrastructure can co-exist and VicGrid is committed to working with landholders and the industry to minimise impacts and ensure biosecurity is protected.”
VicGrid said it ensured “project staff entering a private property are trained on biosecurity management and have the necessary skills and tools to understand your biosecurity risks and how they will be managed”.
“Prior to entering and leaving your property for survey either via a public road or via a neighbouring private property where required, vehicle tyres and mudguards, boots and any machinery will undergo a cleaning process. A checklist will be completed each time, and confirmation that the procedures have been followed can be provided to the landholder as required.”
“At the completion of each property access VicGrid will report any environmental impact during works caused by VicGrid or its contractors to the landholder, along with any steps proposed for mitigation and/or restoration.
“This will also be recorded in VicGrid’s incident management system and an investigation by VicGrid management will be completed.
“At the completion of each property access VicGrid will also provide you with a report within 15 business days, outlining the details of access.”
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Reference group minutes are slow to flow
VICGRID has had “dozens of submissions” for sites to accomodate workers on the VNI West project that has blown out to $7.6 million.
Minutes of the community reference group’s December meeting have been published showing VNI West program director Mick Douge telliong members shortlisted locations for accommodation and laydown area sites will be assessed as part of the environmental effects statement.
Minutes show VicGrid will next review the project’s cost in mid-2027 based on finalised development design.
The group last met in February but minutes are still to be released.
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