General News
15 September, 2023
Countdown to VNI West corridor release
THE 2km wide corridor for VNI West transmission lines through the Loddon is expected within the fortnight. Australian Energy Market Operator’s Transmission Company Victoria remains tight-lipped on the corridor that will be reduced from the...
THE 2km wide corridor for VNI West transmission lines through the Loddon is expected within the fortnight.
Australian Energy Market Operator’s Transmission Company Victoria remains tight-lipped on the corridor that will be reduced from the original Option 5A route up 50km wide released earlier this year.
TCV this week has used advertisements in local newspapers to say it will “listen and to engage respectfully, honestly and openly” with landholders in the corridor.
“We want to work with you, to understand your land and your ways of working, to make sure we find the best route for the project, with the least impact. All we are seeking is to better understand your viewpoint.”
TCV also says it will take complaints seriously and “we have avenues for escalation”.
Details of the corridor will not be released by TCV until later this month with limited reports emerging of landholders being contacted along the route.
However, there has been confirmed contact with a property owner at Gre Gre, between Navarre and St Arnaud.
According to sources speaking with the Loddon Herald, other possible areas within the corridor are at Swan Water, north of St Arnaud and possibly along the Boort-Kerang Road.
It is also understood the corridor could also include land near Cobram Estate’s Boort olive grove.
TCV says it is contacting about 350 landowners along the corridor before releasing details.
VNI West project director Sam Magee said: “By meeting with TCV’s landholder liaison team, a landowner is in no way implying support for the project or their agreement to have transmission lines on their property.
“Our landholder liaisons are looking for a simple, initial conversation which will help us to verify the information we have gathered so far as we work to refine the route for the project. It is also an important opportunity for landholders to ask questions and raise any concerns directly,” he said.
TCV says traditional owner engagement will continue as the project progresses.
“TCV recently participated in preliminary On Country Days with impacted traditional owners to further develop the project’s understanding of cultural heritage and values, and opportunities to minimise the project’s impact on country,” TCV says.