LANDOWNERS could be fined more than $12,000 under new State Government plans to fasttrack renewable energy projects.
The National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 introduced in Parliament last Thursday says “that enables authorised officers, accompanied by officers of electricity corporations to enter private land without owner or occupier consent”.
Fernihurst’s Ken Pattison said the latest move by the Government was another hit on farmers.
“In Victoria, no one has any rights any more. This new move by the Government makes home invasion legal, no rights for the property owner.”
The Bill makes VicGrid responsible for the planning and development of renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure in Victoria.
The Government last Thursday said: “We established VicGrid to make sure communities have a real say on the way transmission and renewable energy projects are planned across the state, and to ensure certainty for industry.
“We have heard from regional communities that will host new energy infrastructure that the benefits of the energy transition need to be shared fairly – that’s why this Bill introduces new Renewable Energy Zone Community Energy Funds and a separate fund for traditional owners
“The REZ Community Energy Funds will support projects and initiatives that improve energy supply, efficiency, and affordability for the host regions. Local host communities will identify and help design projects that will best benefit them. The final details of the funds will be formalised through further legislation later this year.
The establishment of a traditional owners’ fund will support self-determination and the broader aspirations of Traditional Owners impacted by new critical energy infrastructure.”
The Bill will transfer responsibility for transmission network planning from the Australian Energy Market Operator to VicGrid. The Government says this will enable VicGrid to implement the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan which will make sure we build the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time as we transition to cheaper renewable energy.
According to the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio: “We’re making sure communities that host renewable energy infrastructure directly benefit from the substantial investments in their regions these projects generate.
“These reforms will make sure industry have the certainty they need to invest and VicGrid can do the important planning works that will keep the lights on and deliver cheap renewable power to Victorian homes and businesses,” she said.
AEMO said while the VNI West project would transfer to VicGrid, it was running a tender process to select a delivery partner to assist with development, and to eventually construct and operate the transmission line.
“At the end of the development phase, VicGrid pending legislation passing will enter into a delivery phase contract with the successful delivery partner, and Transmission Company Victoria will be transferred to them via share sale. The new owner will assume full ownership of TCV, with VicGrid continuing oversight through the delivery contract.
The preferred delivery partner is expected to be announced later this year.