Access to properties within the VNI West project easement is essential to carry out detailed field surveys and investigations. These activities help TCV understand the land, environmental sensitivities, and potential impacts of the proposed transmission infrastructure. The findings directly inform route planning, project design, and support the assessments under the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.

TCV’s preference is always to reach voluntary agreements with landholders. In February 2025, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) granted TCV a Victorian electricity transmission licence. This licence allows TCV to operate transmission infrastructure and transmit electricity in Victoria, supporting the development and delivery of the VNI West project.

The licence also enables access powers under Section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) if voluntary agreements on access cannot be reached. These powers allow access for specific purposes, but only under strict conditions, including:

• Compliance with the Land Access Code of Practice

• Provision of reasonable notice

• Payment of compensation for any damage as required by law

However, voluntary access remains TCV’s strong preference. Voluntary agreements allow landholders to set clear conditions for access—such as timing, access points, biosecurity protocols and seasonal considerations—and unlock financial benefits including upfront payments and scaled access payments. Landholders are encouraged to speak with their Landholder Liaison to understand their rights and options.

TCV has made every effort to secure voluntary agreements, including:

• Multiple contact attempts via letter, phone, text, email and in-person visits

• Offering flexible pathways such as independent facilitators, legal-to-legal discussions and meetings with senior TCV or AEMO representatives

• Tailoring agreements to landholder needs and providing access to independent advisors

• Providing short form agreements tailored for one-off surveys

Section 93 powers are considered a last resort, used only when voluntary access cannot be agreed in time to complete critical surveys. Even if initial access occurs under Section 93, landholders can still choose to enter into a voluntary agreement for future works.

From June 2025, TCV now uses the Enablement and Access Deed for new land access arrangements. The Access Licence in the Enablement and Access Deed, outlines how and when TCV may enter your property — including any specific conditions landholders request.

The Enablement and Access Deed carries the same payment terms as the previous Land Access Agreement (LAA) recognising the time, effort, and inconvenience involved in allowing voluntary access:

• $10,000 total for properties up to 299 acres, paid over two years (50% per year).

• Properties 300 acres or larger may be eligible for additional payments, up to a maximum of $50,000 (scaled to the area provided for survey access) - your Landholder Liaison will help confirm eligibility.

• A one-year extension adds $5,000.

• Payments are made regardless of whether your property is included in the final alignment.

If you’ve already signed an LAA, the existing payment terms will carry over to the Enablement and Access Deed, unless additional land is made available for survey access. In that case, payment amounts may be adjusted to reflect the expanded access area.

However, signing the Enablement and Access Deed also makes you eligible to receive 20% of the Landholder Benefit Payment, which is part of the broader compensation package for participating landholders.

TCV also reimburses reasonable legal costs for reviewing or negotiating access documents, please speak with your Landholder Liaison for support and guidance.

Yes. Short Form Access Agreements are available to landholders, tailored to one-off survey types or for shorter periods of access. These agreements are appropriate where reviews or negotiations of the more comprehensive Enablement and Access Deed take place, but enable access in the near term for season-specific survey requirements.

No. An access agreement only covers survey access and does not indicate agreement to host infrastructure. If the property is selected for the easement, a separate OFE negotiation will occur, including compensation and terms for construction and operations.

TCV takes biosecurity seriously and follows a clear set of procedures to protect properties from pests, weeds, diseases, and contaminants during surveys, assessments, and consultation.

TCV’s approach is guided by its Biosecurity Policy, which aligns with the Essential Services Commission’s Land Access Code of Practice, developed in consultation with Agriculture Victoria.

Before accessing any property, TCV will work with landholders to identify and agree on biosecurity requirements. These are documented in the Land Access Agreement (LAA) or Enablement and Access Deed (EAD) and must be followed by all TCV personnel.

Key measures include training, planning, washdown procedures, reporting and ongoing review.

Landholders are encouraged to work closely with their Landholder Liaison to ensure all biosecurity needs are understood and respected. TCV also reimburses reasonable legal costs for reviewing or negotiating access agreements.

Environmental surveys help TCV understand the landscape and identify important ecological features — such as native species, habitats, waterways, and vegetation. This information is used to:

• Minimise environmental impacts by avoiding or reducing disturbance to sensitive areas.

• Refine the proposed transmission route to better align with environmental values and landholder feedback.

• Support the Environment Effects Statement (EES) by providing robust, site-specific data that informs impact assessments and mitigation strategies.

These surveys are a critical part of responsible project planning and are conducted with care, in line with regulatory requirements and landholder agreements.

Findings will inform planning and approvals. Certain species are legally protected. TCV will share survey results with landholders.

Flora surveys involve walking through areas to catalogue plants, usually with photos; small samples may be taken. Fauna surveys involve observation and occasional sampling.

Fauna surveys typically involve observing animal species and gathering samples where needed.

If access to private land is required, the Landholder Liaison will discuss an access agreement with the landholder and answer any questions about providing consent for survey work.

A Land Access Agreement or Enablement and Access Deed will set out the conditions under which field surveys can take place on a property and will stipulate any specific requirements such as how and when our field survey team can enter a property, including biosecurity controls and access notice periods.

Your landholder liaison will discuss access agreements with you and answer any questions about planned survey works.

You have the right to request from TCV any of the following information, which TCV will provide in line with the access Code of Conduct. This includes:

• Outcomes of our land access investigations (excluding any information which may be confidential or commercially sensitive)

• Information on any incidents that occur while accessing land

• Biosecurity, bushfire and health policies and procedures

TCV prioritises safety and will not conduct survey activities during high fire danger periods or Total Fire Ban days. TCV’s bushfire risk management includes:

• Detailed bushfire risk assessments as part of the planning and approvals process

• Ongoing coordination with CFA, Emergency Management Victoria (EMV), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and other agencies

• Compliance with the Land Access Code of Practice, including seasonal access conditions