In this edition, we provide an update on the Environment Effects Statement, April community events and field surveys.

Confirmation of an Environment Effects Statement for VNI West

TCV has received confirmation from the Victorian Minister for Planning that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) will be required for VNI West.

The EES process is rigorous, it assesses the potential environmental impact of major projects in Victoria and is overseen by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

In her reasons for the decision under the Environment Effects Act 1978, the Minister noted that the EES process would provide a “robust, integrated and transparent assessment through which the potential environmental effects can be rigorously assessed”.

DTP will appoint a Technical Reference Group (TRG) to provide advice throughout the process. Agencies invited to participate in the TRG will include representatives from government agencies, regional authorities, municipal councils and Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) with statutory, policy or technical interests in the project.

As part of the EES process, TCV will carry out a program of expert studies and assessments on a range of matters, which are likely to include biodiversity, surface water and groundwater, Aboriginal cultural values, agriculture, landscape values, amenity and socioeconomic values.

The list of matters to be investigated and proposed studies for the EES will be developed by DTP in consultation with TCV and the TRG. DTP will release a draft scoping requirements document for public comment, providing landholders and community members with the opportunity to provide feedback on the scoping requirements before they are finalised and issued by the Minister for Planning. More information about opportunities for consultation will be provided as they arise.

Community drop-in events: what we heard

More than 120 people attended VNI West community drop-in sessions held in Kerang, Charlton and Stawell between 16-18 April 2024. TCV valued the opportunity to share updates about the project, listen to concerns and feedback, and respond to questions from community members and landholders.

We received many valuable insights and discussed various aspects of the project with attendees. TCV will use this feedback and other insights to inform our communications approach and ensure we are providing useful information. At a glance, this is what we heard:

• The timelines and process for narrowing the draft corridor to an easement should be more clearly communicated.
• Conversations around compensation should be informed by a clear process and an estimate of a likely dollar figure.
• Community members should have the opportunity to provide input into the planning and approvals process for the project.
• Issues such as biosecurity management need to be thoroughly investigated prior to accessing private land.

Key information shared

We are aiming to narrow the current ~2km corridor to a draft easement of 100m by the third quarter of 2024 (between July and September). At that time, we will start compensation discussions with landholders in the preferred easement.

We appreciate that while there is uncertainty about the final location for the planned infrastructure this is a cause of stress for many landholders. We are doing our best to ease this uncertainty as quickly as possible, while still ensuring the final easement is informed by thorough analysis and consultation.

Biosecurity is clearly an important concern for landholders, and TCV will work directly with farmers to agree on the terms of land access including any biosecurity requirements before we enter private properties (more on land access agreements below). We recently published our Biosecurity Policy which outlines how TCV and its employees, contractors and consultants will mitigate risks associated with the introduction and spread of harmful biological agents when conducting site visits.

Further information on what we heard at the April sessions and how we will address this feedback will be made available in the coming weeks on the TCV website. Reports on outcomes of engagement to date, including a summary of discussions at the recent community meeting held in Murrabit, can be found on the Reports page.

Land access for field surveys key to determining VNI West route

TCV is carrying out a range of field surveys across the VNI West draft corridor. This work is important and builds our understanding of environmental considerations and geological features in the area. We will apply the findings along with feedback from landholders and the community to help identify the route for transmission that minimises impacts to people, farming and the environment.

Studies started in October last year and include non-invasive ground investigations and site walkovers to identify key wildlife habitat and vegetation, as well as drilling small boreholes to determine ground and soil conditions. Surveys to date have mainly been carried out on public land, with the permission of relevant authorities and all required permits.

If we need to access private property, we will request consent from landholders. We will respect any biosecurity measures and follow other landholder direction, which will be documented in a formal Land Access Agreement with the landholder. Landholders will receive a land access payment in recognition of the inconvenience caused.

A land access agreement is for survey works only. If a landholder signs a land access agreement, that is not an agreement to have infrastructure on their property or allow construction or other works.

Information on upcoming field surveys and assessments is available on the TCV website under Planned Field Survey Activities and will be updated regularly.

Key organisations involved in VNI West and renewable energy developments

We recognise that there is understandably some confusion about the different organisations involved in the development of VNI West and local renewable energy projects. We appreciate the energy landscape is complicated and involves a large number of different organisations, which all play different roles in the planning and development process. To help address these queries, we have developed a quick guide to the key organisations with a role in VNI West.

TCV is responsible for the development of the VNI West project, and we can’t comment on other projects including private renewable energy developments like wind farms. Questions about these projects are best directed towards the company progressing them.

An overview of functioning or planned renewable energy developments can be viewed on the Department of Transport and Planning’s online map and is also reported on the AEMO website. In addition, VicGrid materials including fact sheets about REZ zones can be found on its website at www.energy.vic.gov.au.

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