General News
2 March, 2023
Power line route surprise
COMMUNITIES and landowners have just five weeks to comment on plans to build overhead power transmission lines through the Loddon. Australian Energy Market Regulator has ditched running the 500 kiloVolt Victoria-New South Wales interconnector from...
COMMUNITIES and landowners have just five weeks to comment on plans to build overhead power transmission lines through the Loddon.
Australian Energy Market Regulator has ditched running the 500 kiloVolt Victoria-New South Wales interconnector from Bendigo through Prairie to Kerang.
The new option for “land of interest” running from near Wedderburn, skirting the banks of Lake Boort and through to Durham Ox, Gladfield and Pyramid Hill has been criticised for a lack of local consultation.
“The only consultation with (Loddon Shire) council was for the Prairie route,” said Mayor Dan Straub.
Prairie West’s Donald McGauchie has labelled the new option a recipe for disaster.
“It’s very curious at this late stage to throw in other ideas ... and no details,” Mr McGauchie said.
“I am astonished any government would consider a new option so late in the process and expect people to respond.
“You can’t consult without detail and if the is detail is there and hasn’t been released, that’s even worse.”
Cr Straub and Mc McGauchie have called for local face-to-face consultation, doubting six weeks will be sufficient time.
AEMO last Thursday named its new preferred route, days after the State Government orders were issued to have planning and design work fast-tracked.
And on Friday, Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said there would be “landholder payments for communities that host crucial electricity transmission infrastructure, ensuring benefits from the renewables revolution are shared equitably ... first payments under the new arrangements will go to landholders who host transmission easements along the selected VNI West and Western Renewables Link transmission corridors.”
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