Agriculture
7 August, 2023
Spell out land access needs, says commissioner
TRANSMISSION Company Victoria should spell out why it needs to assess land for the VNI West transmission line project through the Loddon. Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer pointed to his latest report at a forum in St Arnaud...
TRANSMISSION Company Victoria should spell out why it needs to assess land for the VNI West transmission line project through the Loddon.
Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer pointed to his latest report at a forum in St Arnaud on Monday on the need for major project proponents to have proper protocols when going onto farmland.
Mr Dyer addressed more than 60 people at the forum organised by Victorian Farmers’ Federation St Arnaud branch and North Grampians Shire.
He earlier attended a series of roundtable discussions that included VFF Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit and VFF energy and transmission taskforce member Sue Gould.
Mr Dyer said: “It is several decades since any long-distance, large-scale transmission projects have been developed and not all jurisdictions or proponents have protocols in place.
“There is also a general lack of enforceable codes of conduct that industry should adhere to in dealing with landholders and the broader community,” he said.
“In some cases, this has led to inappropriate and disproportionate behaviour by proponents and their contractors when accessing land under legislative powers.
“Forceful actions by proponents have caused great reputational and relationship harm and have fuelled mistrust in landholder communities.”
Monday’s forum was also attended by landholders who claim to have been impacted by the Western Renewables Link project that will connect to VNI West at Bulgana, near Stawell.
Mr Dyer said it was important any legislation for projects was supported by a protocol or code of conduct to access land.
He said the Wimmera Mallee pipeline had been an example of proper consultation with innovative solutions that had support and helped farmers.
“That pipeline was seen as a win. When you have the community engaged, they will own it and make it work,” he said.
Speakers at Monday’s forum criticised VNI West for forcing regional communities to carry the project’s burden without local benefits.
Climate Action Centre on Tuesday put out a list of eight “independent experts” backing VNI West, including CEO of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development Chris Sounness.