Agriculture
2 December, 2025
Farmer gets reprieve from TCV third visit
A DEFIANT Dingwall farmer has won a break from a week of constant visits from Transmission Company Victoria assessment teams after a “no access” protest last Tuesday.
Colin Fenton was supported by neighbours on the first of three successive days of TCV visits.
They had interrupted harvest as the stand-off over property access hit the northern end of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line.
Mr Fenton has three properties in VNI West path - TCV wanted to access a second yesterday as part of its environmental assessments but backed down on arriving at the third today.
VicGrid, that took over the project this month, said: “VNI West has engaged with the landholder in this case and agreed to postpone further survey activities on the property this week, in order to discuss access further.”
Mr Fenton said; “I told them to put the brakes on Australia wide (with renewable energy projects).
“People are wound up and opposition is gaining legs. This will end in tears and it won’t be the farmers who are crying,” he said.
Mr Fenton said harvesting on his farms was at the mid-way point.
“We really appreciate that other farmers in the same position have come and supported us today. Perhaps (Premier) Jacinta Allan and minister Lily d’Ambrosio could also come and have a meeting here with us,” Mr Fenton said.
Monday’s farmgate line of defiance follows almost two weeks of protests along the VNI West route where dozens of farmers are refusing access to TCV and risking $12,000 fines under new State Government laws.
VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker said: “VNI West is a crucial project to keep the lights on for all Victorians as we replace ageing coal-fired power with new renewable energy sources.”
“These surveys are about getting the best information so we minimise impacts on the landscape and on farming operations. Our strong preference is always to agree voluntary access. That’s the way we want to keep working, because it leads to better outcomes for everyone.
“Safety comes first - for landholders, for community members and for our staff - and we’re asking everyone involved to approach this calmly and respectfully.”
VicGrid says it has reached agreements for more than 165 properties, and more than 270 surveys have been carried out on private land, across the broader project region.
“However, in some cases, where voluntary access can’t be reached, powers exist for compulsory access,” it says.
Last month, 29 landholders were provided a Notice of Access, a minimum of 10 business days before any access was scheduled to happen.
Mr Fenton said for one of his properties, only 48 hours notice was given. And Mr Fenton was critical of the identification produced by TCV assessment teams.
“The big name on the card is Mick Douge ... I said to the bloke ‘you’re not Mick Douge ... I know him’” VicGrid says Mr Douge is its authorising officer and admitted his name was in larger print on cards.