Updated Project Timelines

Since late June, we’ve been speaking with landholders about changes to the construction timeline for VNI West. The expected completion date for the project has been updated to late 2030, rather than the original target of 2028.

The revised timeline reflects updated planning, design, and construction assumptions that have evolved through the project's early development stages.

This update also allows time to:

• Progress land access arrangements
• Complete detailed environmental, geotechnical, and cultural assessments
• Support fair and transparent easement negotiations with landholders.

While the timeline has shifted, the purpose of VNI West remains unchanged: to deliver the infrastructure needed to support Victoria’s energy transition.

Land Easement and Access Package for Landholders

The updated project timeline coincides with the release of the VNI West Land Easement and Access Package. Last week, our Landholder Liaisons began discussions with landholders along the refined project route to discuss the package.

The package outlines:

• Types of payments landholders may be eligible for

• Options for land access during surveys

• How we plan to work together to manage project impacts

• Negotiation pathways available to landholders

• Indicative timings for how easement negotiations with TCV may unfold

In addition to access payments for field surveys, property-specific compensation for project impacts, and the State Government’s existing landholder payment, TCV has introduced a new Landholder Benefit Payment — a direct acknowledgement of the vital role landholders play in making this project possible.

We remain committed to open, transparent communication with landholders — and to working together to reach voluntary agreements wherever we can.

The Land Easement and Access Package includes an Option for Easement (OfE), which gives landholders the chance to engage early and have their individual property needs heard and considered.

Our strong preference is always to reach agreement through this process. But if that's not possible — even after genuine efforts on both sides — we may need to explore acquiring easements through a statutory process.

Last month the Victorian State Government introduced a new Bill proposing updates to the legal framework for electricity transmission planning and land access for major projects like VNI West.

Any proposed changes to land access laws will only be considered as a last resort, after all voluntary access options have been exhausted.

Our approach hasn't changed. We’ll keep working closely with landholders to find fair, practical solutions that work for everyone.

If landholders have questions about the Land Easement and Access Package or the proposed legislative changes, we encourage them to contact their Landholder Liaison or refer to our Landholder Guide for more information.

Route Refinement Update

In October last year, when we shared the preferred easement for VNI West, TCV invited landholders to provide feedback on how the proposed alignment would affect their properties.

Between October and January, 59 landholders provided input on the route refinement process and infrastructure locations — helping us better understand day-to-day impacts and suggesting ways to reduce disruption.

As a result, we were able to accommodate nearly half of these requests, adjusting infrastructure — including tower placements — to better suit property layouts and business operations.

This feedback has shaped the updated Project Easement, now available on the Project Easement page of the TCV website. Since October, more than 250 tower location have been revised, largely driven by feedback from landholders.

There may still be further refinements following the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and final construction design phases. We’re continuing to look for ways to minimise impacts and ensure landholders are fairly compensated for any disruptions to land use.

You can find out more about the EES and the Project Easement on our website.

Workforce Accommodation and Construction Laydown Areas

In early February, community members from the Loddon, Gannawarra, Northern Grampians, and Buloke Shires shared their interests and concerns with TCV to help shape planning for workforce accommodation on the VNI West project.

The Expression of Interest process to identify potential sites for accommodation and construction laydowns across the broader project area has now closed, with more than 15 detailed submissions received.

Sites were assessed based on a range of criteria, including:

• Proximity to the Project Easement main road connections

• Potential for legacy benefits

• Flood overlay and ecological considerations

• Bushfire risk and topography

• Access to services

• Cultural heritage matters

• Proximity to towns and existing homes

Workforce accommodation refers to the temporary lodgings and infrastructure needed to house project employees and contractors. Laydown areas will be used to store construction materials and equipment, and may also include stockpiling facilities, vehicle and equipment storage, demountable offices, and on-site amenities.

Short-listed sites will now undergo a detailed impact assessment as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.