Bushfire risk is a key technical assessment within the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process for the VNI West project. A detailed bushfire risk assessment will be undertaken as part of the regulated environmental and planning approvals. This assessment will examine vegetation, fire cause/origin, local landscape factors, and fire risk management across the asset’s life. It will also identify measures to reduce asset damage and increase bushfire risk awareness.

The assessment will be informed by extensive consultation with the CFA, Victorian Government agencies, and the Technical Reference Group (TRG), ensuring alignment with existing preparedness and response plans. TCV will continue working with fire authorities and safety regulators to address community questions and concerns.

Victoria already operates approximately 6,500 km of transmission lines, with bushfire risk managed around this infrastructure for decades. The transmission network service provider (TNSP) must work with fire authorities to ensure fire response—including aerial firefighting—can occur safely and effectively.

The TNSP prioritises safe, reliable supply and coordinates with EMV, FRV, CFA and FFMV, following all directions. If required, parts of the transmission network can be turned off.

Yes. Guidance from the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, CFA and Energy Safe Victoria explains how network owners work with fire authorities to enable aerial firefighting in the vicinity of transmission lines.

Asset design and specifications account for location-specific conditions (e.g., maximum anticipated wind speeds) to minimise failure risk under extreme conditions. Operations are highly regulated. The owner/operator will manage corrosion monitoring, routine maintenance, inspections and vegetation clearance.

Fires near/under lines can damage conductors and insulators, interrupting supply. Smoke can cause electrical arcs/flashovers. Stations and lines are remotely operated and can be shut down when required. Protection systems detect faults and switch power off rapidly—typically within ~120 ms on 220 kV networks and ~80 ms on 500 kV networks—to help prevent electrical fires.

Ground wires at the top of towers shield conductors and safely direct lightning energy to ground, helping maintain supply, avoid infrastructure damage and reduce local bushfire risk.
It’s highly unlikely. There is one recorded instance where a structural failure triggered a small ground fire that rain quickly extinguished. Modern lines are designed to better withstand extreme weather, further lowering risk. For more on fire risk mitigation, see TCV’s Managing fire risk across the electricity transmission network factsheet.

There are no significant health risks identified for living close to high‑voltage (500 kV or 220 kV) lines. ARPANSA advises there’s no scientific evidence that typical exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) around homes, offices or power lines causes health effects. A precautionary approach will still be applied—seeking minimum setbacks from residences and monitoring EMF intensity. EMFs occur naturally (e.g., lightning, solar activity, the Earth) and wherever electricity flows. Levels from high‑voltage lines are well below the public exposure limit of 2,000 mG recommended by ICNIRP (2010).

TCV seeks to avoid flood‑prone areas where practical, balancing other constraints. Flood and weather risks are addressed through design, construction and operation. Design phase: consider flood levels/risks and geotechnical conditions; design to relevant weather standards; apply Safety‑in‑Design. Construction phase: implement measures and safety plans to manage weather risks. Operations: monitor weather impacts. TNSPs are committed to managing flood and weather risks across network assets.

No. Both are considered to present no significant health risk. Typical EMF levels are around 10–50 mG at the edge of an easement and 20–200 mG directly under a high‑voltage line—well below the ICNIRP public limit of 2,000 mG. Nearly 3,000 studies have not established EMF exposure at everyday levels (home, office, near transmission lines or common electrical sources) as a human health hazard.

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