Pathways narrowed for powerline project

AS the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project continues, AusNet has announced its narrowed the corridors of the build after community consultation and feedback.

Following thousands of submissions AusNet has confirm routes that minimise the impact of the new infrastructure on the environment and nearby residents.

Now the company is seeking nominations for members of three community consultation groups who’ll be selected on merit, skills, expertise and connection to community.

AusNet Services executive project director Stephanie McGregor said the company is committed to continuous engagement with the community as part of the process to determine a 500-kilovolt powerline’s final route.

“We’ve heard the concerns and valuable insights from the community and taken these into account alongside the technical studies as we narrow down the area of interest,” she said.

“We encourage continued community input as we further investigate these corridors so that we can deliver this critical infrastructure with the least amount of impact.

“These groups will foster collaboration and further support the flow of information to the community about the project.”

As one of the municipalities impacted by the project, after reviewing AusNet’s most recent announcement the Moorabool Shire reiterated its position that an underground option should be considered.

Moorabool’s CEO Derek Madden said the Shire would continue to advocate for an accurate, interactive map so landowners could determine if they lived within or near the corridor.

“There is understandably a lot of angst in our community about this project, especially from landowners closest to the proposed route,” he said.

“We will continue… to push for an underground option to be considered because the impact to people must be taken into account when determining the best outcome.”

Further community consultation and investigation is planned over the coming months with AusNet predicted a final corridor to be announced by mid this year.

For more information visit westvictnp.com.au, email [email protected] or call 03 9021 0674.