The need and broad location for a new transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales was first identified by AEMO in its role as market planner.

In May 2023, the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) concluded the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process and identified a 5–50 km area of interest.

In October 2023, a draft corridor approximately 2 km wide was announced. This corridor was shaped by environmental, technical, social and cost considerations, as well as feedback from community and stakeholder consultation.

In October 2024, TCV released the Preferred Easement, a proposed alignment approximately 70 metres wide, shaped by environmental, technical, social and cost considerations, along with feedback from landholders and stakeholders.

In mid-2025, TCV revised the alignment for VNI West to the Project Easement available to view on the TCV website. This maintains the 70-metre width along most of its 240-kilometre route from Bulgana terminal station to the NSW border near Kerang. This refined alignment reflects ongoing planning, design, construction and consultation with landholders following the Preferred Easement release in October 2024.

Three short sections of the route — Tragowel, Meering West and Teddywaddy — remain under review as Route Options, and will be considered as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.

Yes. The Project Easement is not yet finalised. Ongoing consultation and technical studies as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process may identify better alignments within the project boundary and where possible. Any changes will aim to minimise environmental, agricultural, social and cultural impacts.

Yes. TCV is committed to listening to community feedback and exploring alternative route options where feasible.

In the Tragowel area, for example, landholders expressed interest in hosting transmission infrastructure. In response, TCV began assessing alternative route options in that region from October 2024. These options are being considered as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, which includes detailed technical studies and community input.

Many public road reserves are too narrow for major infrastructure and often contain sensitive vegetation. There are also road safety, public safety and infrastructure safety risks.

Electricity demand in Victoria is highest in cities and industrial centres, but the nature and location of electricity generation is increasingly shifting to regional areas. Historically, coal-fired power stations were built near coal mines, which are typically located in regional areas where those resources are abundant – such as the Latrobe Valley in eastern Victoria. Today, the shift to renewable energy means generation is even more decentralised.

Solar and wind projects are built where natural conditions are strongest - in the sunniest and windiest parts of the state - such as the Wimmera. As a result, new transmission lines are needed to connect these regional generation sites, and Renewable Energy Zones, to the cities, towns and industrial precincts where electricity is used.

While the existing network is used wherever possible, new infrastructure is essential to support the transition to these new sources of generation and maintain a reliable electricity supply.

No. TCV is at the start of an 18-month environmental and planning approval process under the EES. The project cannot proceed without state and Commonwealth approvals.

The project cannot proceed without required planning approvals from state and commonwealth governments.

The project was referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. In June 2024, the Minister confirmed VNI West is a ‘Controlled Action’ requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act. It will be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, relying on the EES process.