More detail urgently needed on powerline plan
Nationals MP Gaelle Broad has asked the Government to urgently provide more information on the controversial high voltage powerline destined for north central Victoria.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Broad said she supported renewables, but she also supports the regional communities that will carry the burden of delivering renewable energy to the city.
“The Minister’s media release on Saturday afternoon announced the preferred route Option 5a for the high-voltage transmission line known as VNI West, that will cross valuable agricultural land, including Charlton and Boort,” Ms Broad said.
“The transmission towers will be 80m high, as tall as the MCG light towers, and can be seen for 27km.”
She said the Minister’s announcement had come as an unexpected surprise to many landholders, whose areas had not been ear-marked in the earlier route options given to the public.
“It’s news to many in the region and public engagement has been poor,” she said.
“Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) was only recently established to engage all stakeholders along the new route to identify the preferred corridor by August this year.
“It’s a massive project costing billions of dollars.
“Where is the Minister, where is the public consultation, and where are the details about compensation to be paid to the landowners, neighbours and communities impacted by these transmission lines?
“Our region deserves full details and proper consultation on this important project,” Ms Broad said.