THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has called on the Victorian Government to step in and take over planning of the state's transmission network following consultation on the proposed VNI West project.
VFF President Emma Germano said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had failed to take the impact on agricultural production into account in planning for transmission on behalf of the Victorian Government, and that the government needs to take back control.
"Farmers have had a gutful over the disrespectful way in which these projects are being planned.
"AEMO is not up to the task of taking into account the impact of these projects on Victoria's food and fibre production.
"It is an unelected agency which seems to answer to no–one."
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"Ultimately, the Victorian Government is responsible for delivering this public infrastructure.
"The government should take full control of planning the shift to renewable energy across the state to ensure the impacts on agriculture and regional communities is understood and mitigated."
As part of the VFF submission to AEMO's consultation on the VNI West project, Ms Germano said planning for the VNI West and Western Renewables Link (WRL) projects should be paused, with government needing to undertake a state–wide plan.
"The VFF believes that an immediate halt to all planning for the VNI West and WRL projects must be undertaken.
"The powers for all transmission network planning must be vested in and executed directly by the Victorian Government.
"In addition, there must be a state–wide plan for renewable energy and transmission that accounts for issues of agricultural production."
Ms Germano said farmers were being forced to bear the cost of transmission infrastructure because AEMO is only considering the cost of powerlines in terms of the cost to consumers' electricity bills.
"It is clear that AEMO's view on transmission planning is completely blinkered by the requirements it has to place energy consumers at the centre of investment decisions.
"This view has no regard for the interests of communities, landholders, businesses and families that are directly impacted by the construction and operation of transmission towers, and who bear costs that are not accounted for under the existing cost benefit arrangements."
"Most concerning to the VFF, our members and all Victorians who value food and fibre production, AEMO's actions to date take no account of agricultural production and its importance to Victoria's economy."
Hepburn Shire Council mayor, Cr Brian Hood reiterated concerns about the impact on local agriculture.
"This is some of the best agricultural land in Victoria and an area known for its strong tourism sector," he said.
"The community and council have repeatedly called for the terminal station to be relocated from the proposed site at Mt Prospect, near Creswick and Daylesford.
"We are pleased that this is no longer the preferred options but we still hold numerous concerns about the largely unchanged power line route and significantly larger towers."
A report into the project has recommended that the terminal station be located now at Bulgana in the Northern Grampians Shire, and that the capacity of the overhead power lines increased from 220 kilovolt to 500 kilovolt throughout the Hepburn Shire.
"This would require significantly larger towers, which will have a greater impact on our important landscapes, farming and the community," said Cr Hood.
The height range of the proposed towers will be increased from 40 to 60 metres high to 60 to 80 metres high.
The easement under them will increase from 40 to 60 metres wide to 70 to 100 metres wide, a significantly larger footprint.
"Council is highly supportive of renewable energy," said Cr Hood
"However, we strongly oppose the transmission lines being above ground.
"We are very disappointed that the report does not further consider the undergrounding of power.
"This is a long–term project and will impact communities right across Victoria and into New South Wales for generations to come," he said.
