Some Moorabool residents are fed up with the Western Renewables Link transmission line project after AusNet employees were seen entering land without permission.
Videos and photos posted in Facebook group Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance on August 27 show workers cutting locks to access properties in Myrniong.
Local Nathan Lidgett, who took the footage, said he was concerned about the impunity that AusNet operated with.
“No property is safe under the powers that they have got,” he said.
“Private property is not private anymore if other organisations have the ability to cut your chain on your gate and walk in.
“What other business in Victoria is subject to another company having access to their property?”
The incident occurred on Mt Blackwood Road in Myrniong, where the proposed route for the transmission lines will run over.
Mr Lidgett was acting on behalf of his neighbour, who was away at the time and had asked Mr Lidgett to help him in his absence.
“He refused them consent – he doesn’t want them on the place and we don’t want them on ours either,” Mr Lidgett said.
“To say that he is pissed off is an understatement.”
Through section 93 of the Land Access Code of Practice, which came into effect in March this year, AusNet can access a landholder’s property with written notice in advance.
The power is granted to it under state government legislation known as the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
An AusNet spokesperson said the company would minimise disruption and damage when undertaking field surveys like the one on Mt Blackwood Road.
“Our focus will be to … leave the property in the same state we found it. We may use tools to provide safe entry, and where this occurs, we have repair kits to make sure the property is safely secured upon exit,” the spokesperson said.
“The landowner always retains access to their property and their existing padlocks at all times.”
The spokesperson said AusNet was striving to maintain relations with locals and affected parties.
“We understand that … some may not wish to enter into a land access agreement with us, however we continue to actively try to engage with landholders to address concerns.”
