PRIME farming land is at risk as the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI-West) Transmission Line moves forward. The project involves building a new high-voltage transmission line between Victoria and NSW using renewable energy to maintain energy supply as coal-fired power stations are retired. However, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is concerned that the 70-metre easement for the transmission line disregards essential farming areas.
VFF president, Emma Germano, criticised the process, stating, “Farmers have been asking completely reasonable questions about how this infrastructure will impact their production, safety and how they will be compensated for their losses. So many of these questions remained unanswered, yet Victoria is ploughing on through with this transmission line.”
While Transmission Company Victoria (TVC) claims to have consulted over 180 landholders and 300 neighbouring residents, Germano argues the approach lacks genuine community involvement.
“From the very outset of this process, we’ve witnessed a reality that steamrolls over the voices and rights of those in farming communities set to be impacted,” Germano said.
“VNI-West will traverse over some of the state’s most important agricultural land. These are areas of strategic significance for Victoria’s economy, yet this has never been factored into the planning of the line.”
The VFF is calling for an immediate halt to the project to reassess its impact on farmland and food security under Victoria’s transmission planning guidelines rather than solely by the Australian Energy Market Operator.
TVC will hold information sessions in Charlton, Kerang, and Stawell in mid-November. Further project details are available on the TVC website.
