Agriculture
23 December, 2023
VNI West court challenge rejected
THE Supreme Victoria on Wednesday morning threw out Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance challenges to orders issued by Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio to fast-track the VNI West renewable energy transmission line project. Justice...
THE Supreme Victoria on Wednesday morning threw out Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance challenges to orders issued by Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio to fast-track the VNI West renewable energy transmission line project.
Justice McDonald handed down his decision in Melbourne with the livestream watched by more than 130 people.
He rejected the alliance’s grounds challenging validity of ministerial orders issued in February and May.
The minister had challenged the alliance’s standing to launch court action to overturn the orders but this was rejected by Justice McDonald.
In handing down his judgement, Justice McDonald ordered the alliance pay the minister’s legal costs with agreement required by this morning or return to court for a hearing at 10.30.
The alliance, that expanded membership this year to include property owners along the VNI West route through the Loddon Shire and running from Stawell to Kerang, is also campaigning against the Western Renewables Link project.