Final power line route confirmed

Sign of the times: Some landowners along the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project route are opposed to the plans. Photo: ALISTAIR FINLAY

THE pathway for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project has been announced by AusNet Services.

A statement released by the builder said over 200 landowners would be affected along the 199-kilometre route that’s set to run from Bulgana near Ararat to Sydenham in Melbourne’s west.

The 220-kilovolt power line will enter the region at Waubra before running east through Mount Boulton, Glendonald and Allendale and then heading either north or south of Hepburn Lagoon before arrived at a planned substation at Newlyn North.

From there the line will convert to a 500-kilovolt service, turn south towards Dean and then head east at Mollongghip.

“Sharing the proposed route now will ensure much-needed clarity for around 220 of the 465 landholders that were within the single corridor,” said Stephanie McGregor, WVTNP executive project director.

“They now have the confirmation that their property is not on the proposed route.”

As part of the confirmation of the route, an AusNet Services statement said it had investigated taking the line underground, however that presented challenges.

“The investigation has found that undergrounding the transmission line would require significant soil and vegetation removal and disturbance of Aboriginal cultural heritage, would limit opportunities for future renewable development, not meet the technical availability and reliability requirements of the electricity system, and cost approximately 16 times more,” the statement said.

“As a result, overhead construction has been recommended by the investigation.”

Stop AusNet’s Towers Campaign subsequently released a statement critical of the decision and the process. They also signalled their next step.

“AusNet have not listened or acted upon the vast concerns brought to them by the community and businesses,” said chair Emma Muir.

“AusNet have not undertaken comprehensive EES [environment effects statement] studies across all areas as they claim and this announcement is premature.

“We are taking legal action to fight AusNet and AEMO. This project must be reassessed and put underground.”