Liam McNally
Farmers from Moorabool and across Victoria’s mid-west and north are preparing to descend on Spring Street in protest of the proposed Western Renewables Link (WRL) and VNI-West transmission projects.
The projects form part of a state government plan to increase renewable energy transmission between Victoria and NSW.
The WRL is a proposed 190km overhead transmission line from Sydenham and Bulgana, which would connect to the proposed VNI-West line from there to NSW via Kerang.
The project has been hotly contested, mainly due to the acquisition of easement corridors for power lines and 50-metre high transmission towers on private land, including through Melton and Moorabool.
Other concerns raised include doubts around the projected cost of the project, impact on wildlife and fire-risk.
Despite a number of demonstrations carried across the state, the project appears to be edging closer with Climate Action Minister Lily D’Ambrosio enacting a ministerial order to further facilitate the expedited delivery of the project.
Regional Victorian Power Alliance (RVPA) is planning to convoy from Ballan to Spring Street in tractors, trucks, Utes and on horseback to protest the plan on August 15, demonstrating on the steps of Parliament from noon.
RVPA member Jason Barratt believes the project needs to be stopped.
“There were several lines proposed and this one is the longest and most expensive,” he said.
‘It really does affect all Victorians, we’re not against renewable energy, there are alternatives to this.”
The state government indicated the environmental, social and economic impacts of the projects are still being considered through the Environmental Effects Statement process and that there will be compensation payment for landowners who host new transmission infrastructure.
A government spokesperson said VicGrid has been established to step up oversight and community consultation for the WRL and VNI West projects.
“New transmission is vital for securing affordable power for Victorians and keeping the lights on as ageing coal-fired generators close,” the spokesperson said.
RVPA member Cate Lancashire organised a similar protest in March 2022, and said there has not been any positive progress since.
“The aim of the rally is to bring awareness to our city cousins that this is what’s happening on the ground in regional Victoria. Not only is it impacting their food-bowls, it’s about the impact on the industries that sit under that … it’s got a huge flow on effect,” she said.
“[The government should] take it back to the drawing board, start again in a more proactive and visible way.”
