General News
16 March, 2023
Minimal detail 'limbo'
LODDON communities had been given minimal detail on the new preferred VNI West route, Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad has told State Parliament. Ms Broad said the the last-minute change to the planned route had left a swathe of rural communities in...
LODDON communities had been given minimal detail on the new preferred VNI West route, Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad has told State Parliament.
Ms Broad said the the last-minute change to the planned route had left a swathe of rural communities in limbo.
“I have asked the Government to commit to establishing a proper consultation process on the proposed new route,” she said.
“Some locals believe the Government has simply taken the route of least resistance on this issue. Last August, it was announced that the Kerang Link was the preferred option but now we find a completely new option has been thrown into the mix, with minimal consultation with councils and residents.”
The new preferred route runs from St Arnaud, between Wedderburn and Charlton through to Boort, Pyramid Hill and Echuca.
The Government claimed it had enabled the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to start work early on the project, known as VNI West. The scheme would see a high-capacity overhead line connecting the Western Renewables Link at Ballarat with a new terminal station at Dinawan, near Jerilderie.
The original preferred route would have seen the project follow the existing powerline easement from Bendigo, through Prairie to Kerang.
“This is a complete change of direction for this multi-billion dollar project,” Ms Broad said.
“There is no detail and only a few short weeks for consultation.”