General News
6 October, 2023
VNI West corridor released - days before town sessions
THE VNI West transmission project draft corridor has appeared on the Transmission Company Victoria website soon about 3pm today. The new map appears to skirt the northern area of the Loddon Shire. No media release has been distributed but the...
THE VNI West transmission project draft corridor has appeared on the Transmission Company Victoria website soon about 3pm today.
The new map appears to skirt the northern area of the Loddon Shire.
Some landholders who were contacted by TCV have not had their property included in the corridor. TCV says it has contacted less than half of property owners.
"“We have sent letters and information packs to all landholders in the draft corridor and in addition we havecontacted approximately 40% of these people," saidVNI west project directorSam Magee,
“Our conversations with landholders have been largely respectful and constructive, with many landholders sharing important information about their properties and farming practices that will help us further refine theroute.
“Not all the properties that are currently in the draft corridor will be in the final route for VNI West and understanding how landholders are using their land and any important features will enable us to find the bestlocation for the final easement, with the least impact,” he said.
In a media release put out b y TCV more than 30 minutes later, it says the area of land has been narrowed to 2km and in thenext phase "of this project, TVC will work with landholders, communities and Traditional Owners to find the right location for the 70m – 120 m easement which has the least impact on lives and livelihoods. To coincide with the release of the report on the draft corridor, we have launched a new interactive map which landholders can use to find out if they are currently in the draft corridor."
Release comes just days before the next community engagement session series starts in Charlton on Tuesday. Boort is next Thursday.
"Communities across the draft corridor will have a chance to ask questions and learn more about the ongoing route refinement process at our next round of community meetings .. the TCV landholder liaisons will continue their discussions with landholders following the release of the draft corridor along with the ongoing work to reach the farmers and property owners we have not yet been in contact with,": the website says.
"Community consultation is an essential part of this process, and there will be opportunities for stakeholders and community members to make submissions and provide feedback. A Community Reference Group has been established and the local members from across the region will meet regularly to address issues and questions raised by the community"
TCV has still not released names of people on the community reference group.
More details to come