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A central Victorian council in the path of a proposed high-voltage transmission line says it is "disturbed" by developments in the project.
Key points:
- AusNet has begun sending compensation valuations to landholders in the path of the Western Renewables Link
- The planning minister is currently considering whether a new Environment Effects Statement is required
- The current EES process is on hold while the decision is being considered
Landholders along the alignment of the Western Renewables Link have begun receiving compensation offers before the project has been fully assessed or received approval to proceed.
The project is planned to run 190 kilometres from Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne's north-west.
"It is hasty to put out this information on compensation," Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Brian Hood said.
"We are quite disturbed by this project."
Nearby council Moorabool Shire has also made public statements against the "troubled" project.
"There are concerns amongst those affected that some decisions have already been made," said Moorabool Shire Mayor Rod Ward.
AusNet, the organisation delivering the transmission line project, said the amount of compensation would vary for each landholder based on a valuation by an independent and accredited valuer.
It said the compensation value was based on the difference between the market value before and after the easement, known as market value depreciation.
AusNet said the compensation evaluations were being distributed to allow landholders sufficient time to consider offers, seek independent advice, and discuss property access arrangements.
'Hold the line'
Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance is encouraging landholders to continue refusing AusNet access onto their properties and not to discuss compensation.
"We want the whole project cancelled and to go back to the drawing board," chair Emma Muir said.
"There needs to be a proper process created for building transmission lines in Victoria."
The Western Renewables Link project is experiencing continued delays.
Currently, Victoria's planning minister is assessing the need for an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the project.
A decision was made by the former planning minister in 2020 that an EES was required and that process has been underway, but significant changes to the project since could require a new report.
A portion of the transmission line is now proposed to be uprated from 220kV to 500kV, meaning larger towers and a new terminal station north of Ballarat will no longer be required.
AusNet has also removed the Sydenham Terminal Station Rebuild from the project scope. It will be completed separately.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson could not say when a new decision on the need for an EES would be made other than it would be decided "shortly".
Councils frustrated
Cr Hood said significant changes to the project meant a new EES should be required.
"Council is not at all pleased with the way this project is being managed. It needs a serious re-think," he said.
"What I'm concerned about is the health and well-being of those affected. This cloud has been hanging over them for many years."
Landholders are continuing to protest against the Western Renewables Link, as well as the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, known as VNI West — a separate transmission project.
The proponents say the projects are needed to transport renewable energy, but farmers say they would limit their ability to farm, devalue their land, and create firefighting risks.
Dozens of farmers circled Victoria's Parliament House in protest of the two transmission projects last week.
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