Project Update: Late September 2024
30 September 2024
Landholders the priority for VNI West route update
Since the announcement of the VNI West draft corridor in September 2023 TCV has worked to refine that area to a preferred easement, pending assessment through the Environment Effects Statement process. The preferred easement of around 70m wide along most of the route is intended for public release in the coming weeks.
Meaningful conversations with landholders are our priority. From 30 September, Landholder Liaisons will seek to contact people in the preferred easement and share details including an individual map showing the location of the easement on their land.
We expect to be in a position to publicly share a report detailing the full Preferred Easement by late October, once we are confident that all impacted landholders have been given the opportunity to speak directly with their Landholder Liaison. We will also directly contact those within the draft corridor who are no longer directly impacted, and those with properties neighbouring the easement.
Over the past year we have listened to feedback, and we understand that those who are most impacted – the people with property in the preferred easement – should have the time and space to process this news, prior to the broader public release of information.
We understand that unfortunately this process and the associated uncertainty has caused concern. We also recognise that this is a major decision, and we needed to take time to listen and consider all the information available to us.
We hope that the confirmation of the preferred easement will provide greater clarity for landholders about potential project impacts. We would like to work with landholders to ensure all questions are answered and concerns assessed and considered, with a view to minimising impacts to properties and day-to-day activities as far as possible.
We can also arrange project experts to meet and answer any questions including on technical transmission infrastructure, farming and agriculture, the environment and planning.
If you are a landholder in the draft corridor, you can expect to hear from your Landholder Liaison in the coming weeks. Alternatively, you can phone your Landholder Liaison directly. If you are unable to make contact, please call TCV on 1800 824 221 so we can help you get in touch.
A significant amount of work has been undertaken over the past two years to listen to landholders and the community, to better understand the area and identify a preferred easement with the least impact to landholders, community and farming balanced with consideration of the environment, heritage and site constraints.
TCV will work closely with landholders and the community as project design continues, and the preferred easement is assessed under a comprehensive EES process over the next 12 months.
Come and visit us at the Elmore Field Days
TCV will be at the Elmore Field Days from 1-3 October. Some 3,000 members of Western Victoria’s farming and agriculture community converge on Elmore each year for this event, we hope to see some of you stop by for a chat with our team.
Project team members will be available to answer questions, chat with landholders or curious community members and provide more information about VNI West. We will be located in the Agri-Business pavilion along with representatives from local health, government and community organisations, including VicGrid and Energy Safe Victoria.
Community Reference Group seeking new members
Do you want to make a difference in your community? We’re looking for local residents from the areas of Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon and Northern Grampians to join the VNI West Community Reference Group (CRG). Members of the CRG independently represent the needs and interests of their community, providing essential local knowledge as the VNI West project team plans and seeks approvals for this important infrastructure project.
The CRG has been running since 2023. The group has met five times, and in future will meet every two months either in person or online. As a member, you’ll receive an annual stipend of $1,500 to cover travel and other expenses.
We’re seeking community-minded people who are ready to get involved and share ideas, to help minimise impacts and deliver long-lasting community benefits from the VNI West project. The CRG will be vitally important in upcoming discussions to design and deliver programs with lasting social value for communities throughout the VNI West project area.
Soon TCV will be able to share more information about the Sponsorships and Donations community grants program, where the CRG will play a key role in the assessment panel.
Learn more about the CRG, or express your interest in becoming a member
Field Surveys
Planned field survey activities are continuing to inform a range of studies and will provide important input to the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process currently underway.
A series of ecology investigations, identifying wildlife habitats and vegetation, will start from 30 September and run through until the end of the year.
Specialists will also be carrying out Landscape & Visual Amenity surveys through to mid-October. The surveys will provide greater detail in assessing landscape typology and character assessment to map and identify landscape character types and prominent features.
These field investigations are taking place on public roadsides and will include non-invasive ground investigations such as site walkovers, photography, water sampling and vegetation mapping.
Learn more about TCV’s planned field survey activities
Get in touch
If you have a question you would like to ask, please get in contact through the details below.
Email: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au
Phone: 1800 824 221
Website: transmissionvictoria.com.au
Kerang Office: Shop 15, 47 Victoria Street, Patchell Plaza, Kerang.
Open 12pm to 4:30pm on Tuesdays and 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays.
