By Olivia Condous
AusNet Services has announced a revision of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project timeline, after uncertainty around the timing of milestone updates in the project.
The project, a proposed 190-kilometre high-voltage transmission network that will stretch through Melton and Moorabool, has already been delayed significantly due to pushback from the local landholders.
In a media release on April 5, Moorabool council called on AusNet Services to urgently clarify the timeframe of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) exhibition, a major milestone for community participation scheduled for mid-2022.
Moorabool council has previously expressed disappointment in the proposed plan for the power line construction and has supported local residents to participate in the feedback process.
In response to the council, AusNet released a statement on April 7 that the EES submission date would be extended to late-2022 in order to enable more time for consultation with landholders.
It cited reasons such as COVID restrictions, workforce isolations, additional Technical Reference Group review requirements and regional flooding around the Ballarat area as other reasons for the delay.
AusNet was ordered to prepare the EES by the state government in August, 2020.
The information provided in an EES enables project decision makers to assess whether a project with significant environmental effects should proceed.
As part of the assessment, community members will be able to access the document for 30 days and lodge submissions responding to the information included.
In order to prepare residents who may wish to make a submission, Moorabool council has provided more information at www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/About-Council/Large-Projects-Impacting-Moorabool/Western-Victoria-Transmission-Network-Project.
To view the updated timeline for the transmission network project, visit www.westvictnp.com.au.
