General News
21 January, 2024
Land access licence bid still to be submitted
AN APPLICATION for a licence to access land on the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line route is still to be lodged with the State Government. A spokesperson for Transmission Company Victoria, the Australian Energy Market...
AN APPLICATION for a licence to access land on the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line route is still to be lodged with the State Government.
A spokesperson for Transmission Company Victoria, the Australian Energy Market Operator’s project entity, this week said a licence would
“support its work in regards to land access, planning and environment approvals”.
“If in the future, TCV is granted a licence it may be able to access land under section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) however our strong preference is to work with landholders to agree on land access arrangements,” they said.
AEMO first flagged applying for the licence last year when anger erupted among landowners between Stawell and Kerang to the VNI West draft route that runs through northern areas of the Loddon Shire.
VNI West project manager Sam Magee said TCV would soon commence the regulatory planning and approvals process.
The spokesperson said this week that discussions with landowners on options for easement access compensation had not started.
“TCV’s landholder liaisons started talking with landholders in the draft corridor in August to build our understanding of how properties across this narrowed area are being utilised and farmed,” they said.
“These conversations are our best chance to find a route for VNI West with the least impact on farming and communities.”
Initial aerial surveys for the draft corridor were completed in November and the first surveys have been completed on public road reserves.
“However, there are several remaining survey activities yet to occur. Survey activity will continue to take place in the coming years as TCV progresses the planning and approvals process,” the spokesperson said.
“The data collected during the environmental surveys will form part of the impact assessments, these will be available for public review and comment as a part of the planning and approvals process.
“If the minister designates that an environmental effect study is required, there will be formal opportunities for the community to make submissions and engage in the process.”
TCV this month said it had purchased land at Tragowel for a future VNI West transmission station.
“Subject to planning and environmental approvals, the 360-hectare site is proposed as the location for a new terminal station required as part of the VNI West transmission project. VNI West is a project to build a new transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales.
“It will harness clean, low-cost electricity from renewable energy zones in both states and improve the reliability and security of electricity supply as our ageing coal-fired power stations retire. Construction on this site cannot commence until all appropriate environmental and planning approvals are obtained, and would not begin before 2026.
“The land purchase does not pre-empt the location of the final easement for the transmission line, which will be determined through the planning and assessment processes and in consultation with landholders, farmers, Traditional Owners and communities.
“TCV is committed to minimising the impacts of the proposed terminal station and will work closely with near neighbours and the local community through the planning and approvals process. We have made it a priority to notify neighbours and local landholders of the land purchase and TCV will hold further information sessions in the area to talk to the local community and answer their questions.”
The spokeperson said a detailed technical study including analysis of historical data related to flooding and any impacts to neighbouring properties to the station site would be undertaken as part of the environmental assessment and approvals process. “As part of due diligence to confirm the initial suitability of the terminal station site, we conducted technical and environmental assessments. This work included an initial assessment of environmental sensitivities such as groundwater and flooding,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had vetoed an offshore wind strategy the State Government says is critical to Victoria’s green energy targets.