Agriculture
12 November, 2025
Farmers hit with ‘let us in’ order
FARMERS on the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project have been handed notices forcing them to allow access to their land.
FARMERS on the route of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project have been handed notices forcing them to allow access to their land.
Some notices have been attached to fences in the region last week with Transmission Company Victoria claiming they had been received by “small number of landholders”.
A TCV spokesperson later told the Loddon Herald there were 39 notice. access notices were to “facilitate access to land where time-critical ecological surveys are required and voluntary access has not been agreed”.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation said farmers in the path of the VNI West were being steamrolled following the issuing of Section 93 notices, effectively granting compulsory access to private land.
President Brett Hosking said the timing and manner of this move was deplorable and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for farmers’ rights and businesses.
“Forcing access to farms at one of the busiest times of year, at the height of harvest, a time when biosecurity and protection of the crop is paramount shows just how out of touch this process has become,” Mr Hosking said.
“They don’t care, they won’t listen and at this point, it seems they will move heaven and earth to drive a bulldozer through generational farming families in their way.
“Shame on them for swinging a wrecking ball at some of the best farming land in the country.”
Mr Hosking said farmers had rights when faced with compulsory access notices, saying transmission companies must abide by the Land Access Code of Practice.
“These companies must consult with landholders on site-specific biosecurity needs before they access land,” he said.
“Biosecurity is paramount when it comes to farming and these transmission companies must not come anywhere near the front gate if they haven’t consulted with landholders.”
VNI West spokesperson Mick Douge said: “Earlier this month, 39 landholders received voluntary access reminders about the need for critical, non-invasive and season-specific ecology surveys to support the Environment Effects Statement process for VNI West.
“From late October, 29 of those landholders throughout the project corridor are being provided Notices of Access, posted or hand delivered. These Notices confirm access dates, times and activities required - first detailed in the reminder.
We’re grateful to have negotiated access with some landholders who received a reminder, and hope other landholders will work with us to define their access requirements through agreement.”
Loddon Herald understands TCV sent or issued notices to landholders between from Stawell and Kerang.
“The notices are issued where season-specific ecology survey access is required for select properties due to the associated flora or fauna values likely present. Notices are not specific to any local government area,” a source said.
TCV has been criticised for issuing notices as farmers start harvest.
But Mr Douge claimed: ““We know this is a busy time of year for farmers, and we’ve worked with landholders through their access agreements to schedule surveys that avoid disruption.”