General News
4 May, 2026
Double denial: Entry blocked by farmers
VICGRID has hit another brickwall in its attempt to enter properties along the proposed route of its VNI West renewable energy transmission line.
VICGRID has hit another brickwall in its attempt to enter properties along the proposed route of its VNI West renewable energy transmission line.
Opponents of controversial State Government project stood with farmer Colin Fenton at his Lake Merran properties last Thursday,
Mr Fenton refused entry to VicGrid officers when they arrived at the farmgates, telling him ecologists to conduct survey were in a waiting car.
But Mr Fenton stood his ground as a formal warning was issued that could see Mr Fenton fined for refusing access.
“I’ve never been in strife in my life,” he said invoking the memory of Australian soldiers two days before Anzac Day. Mr Fenton said they would not believe what was happening to landowners today.
Mr Fenton called on Energy Minister Lily d’Ambrosio to come to northern Victoria and sit down with landowners.
“The minister should come and sit down and hear our concerns,” he said.
“... for 3½ years we’ve been asking questions and not getting answers.”
Mr Fenton told VicGrid officers his property at Lake Merran, first purchased by his father as a 19-year-old 102 years ago, would become unviable if the transmission line went through the property and access cut.
It was one of two of Mr Fenton’s properties visited by VicGrid on Thursday.
Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh was at the first property with Mr Fenton and supporters.
“The officers had one go at 8.30am on one of the family properties and a second shot at another property that afternoon and got absolutely nowhere,” he said.
“But I’m sure they’ll try and be back so congratulations to those proud and determined landholders and locals I joined who had turned out to defend a farming family’s rights on their own land.”
Read More: Lake Meran, Berrimal, Boort