Council responds to compensation plan

By Lachlan Ellis

New plans for a powerline compensation plan have received a mixed response from Moorabool Shire Council, which says it was not invited to make a submission.

AusNet Services, which is currently planning the Western Renewables Link (WRL), released a Landholders Guide document last Monday titled ‘Option for Easement process and compensation’.

The guide details the option for easement process for impacted landholders moving forward, and how compensation will be assessed, should the project receive the approvals needed.

Council has been advocating alongside community groups for the powerlines to go underground, and while this option is not addressed in the Landholder Guide, Council CEO Derek Madden does see a positive in the announcement.

Mr Madden told the Moorabool News that Council “will continue to advocate for the best solution for the community and for undergrounding to be still considered.”

“It is our understanding from the guide that compensation will be given based on any market value loss of the entire property affected, not just the easement area. This is a small win for landholders, and something that Council has been advocating for affected property owners to receive since the beginning of the project,” Mr Madden said.

“Council was not invited to provide input into the guide and first received a copy last evening ahead of its release today [Monday 20 March]. We are reviewing the compensation offer in discussion with stakeholders and will seek technical advice if needed to consider its adequacy, particularly for properties where there are added impacts to business operations.”

Mr Madden also called on decisionmakers on the WRL to “explore depreciation assessments for properties neighbouring those accommodating an easement, which are also being impacted but are not set to receive any form of compensation”.

Moorabool Shire Council’s advocacy work regarding the WRL can be viewed at www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/transmissionlines.