TRANSMISSION Company Victoria has quietly referred plans for the VNI West renewable energy transmission line project to Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
The controversial project proposed to run through irrigation farms along the northern tip of the Loddon Shire landed on Ms Kilkenny’s desk last Wednesday.
She will decide whether to order an environmental effects study of the route between Stawell and Kerang.
TCV said in its documents lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning by director Merryn York that its environmental and technical studies showed not all environmental values and constraints can be avoided in the Option 5A draft corridor.
Constraints listed in one report include registered areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity encompassing Lake Lyndger, Lake Boort and Woolshed Swamp Wildlife Reserve.
The company formed by Australian Energy Market Operator to delivery 500Kw transmission lines through the region had not made an announcement on the referral by Monday although details appeared on its website.
TCV has also referred its VNI West plans to the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to decide if approval is required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
A newsletter to some stakeholders last Thursday included selected information on the referrals. The information was not released to the media with a spokesman saying “we don’t do media releases on all project activity”.
“Community consultation is an important aspect of the EES, and we will share more about how the community can provide input and feedback in future communications,” TCV has said in stakeholder updates.
A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the Victorian part of the VNI West project was referred to the department last Thursday and was being validated.
“Once validated, it will be published for a 10-business day public comment period, and anyone interested can have their say,” they said.
According to the department, validation means “the referral documentation meets the requirements outlined in the EPBC regulations, including relevant impact information and location details”.
However, the department confirmed notification of the 10-day period for public consultation would only be on its website.
The State Government did not respond to questions on processes in Victoria to determine whether an environmental effects statement was needed and when the minister was expected to make a decision.
The VNI West community reference group was scheduled to meet in Kerang yesterday.
However, some landowners in the region have claimed a separate meeting this week to discuss the Tragowel site for a VNI West transmission station has been cancelled.
TCV and AEMO did not respond to questions on that meeting.
“TCV will continue to work closely with landholders, communities, traditional owners and local governments in 2024,” told some stakeholders last week.