Melton council is calling on the Western Renewables Link (WRL) inquiry and advisory committee to “properly” investigate undergrounding the project’s transmission lines.
Council has made a submission to the inquiry and advisory committee tasked with assessing the WRL’s environmental effects statement (EES) by the planning minister.
AusNet is proposing that the WRL will be an 190-kilometre overhead transmission line constructed from Sydenham to Bulgana in western Victoria, via Plumpton and Toolern Vale.
The proposal has drawn strong opposition from community across the project’s proposed path amid concerns about the environmental and visual impacts on the overhead lines and transmission towers.
In its submission, council called from the project’s impacts to be lowered by undergrounding the transmission infrastructure.
AusNet has previously stated that undergrounding the project would significantly increase its cost.
The submission also stated that council was opposed to the alignment of the WRL over council-owned land at MacPherson Park, noting the project would compromise the use of the park for public uses and require the demolition of clubrooms at Equestrian Park.
“This project, should it proceed, will have profound multi-generational and physical impact within our city,” the submission stated.
The submission was endorsed by councillors during the August 25 council meeting, with Cr Julie Shannon saying the planned routed would also negatively impact the Melton Airfield and many private properties.
“Should the government proceed with the project, the WRL will industrialise our landscape forever more,” she said.
“At this stage, we believe there are no viable options to lower the impacts of the project on our community that have been sufficiently explored.
“A huge problem for our community is that these 80-metre towers …. can be seen from up to 10km away.
“We now look to the state government to highly consider our submission and request it properly investigate all viable transmission options.”
Cr Kathy Majdlik said the impact of the WRL on the Melton community was “astronomical”.
“I implore the minister that I hope they will do the right thing for our community and our landscape,” she said.
