Mixed response to VNI West report

By Lachlan Ellis

A new report into a planned power interconnector between Victoria and New South Wales has drawn a mix of praise and concern from councils in the Central Highlands region.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transgrid released a consultation report on the VNI West project on 23 February, with the major recommendations being a Mount Prospect terminal station no longer being preferred, and 220kV power lines being replaced with 500kV lines.

Neighbouring Hepburn Shire Council, which would have hosted the Mount Prospect terminal station, welcomed the news it was no longer preferred.

“Mount Prospect is only a few kilometres from both Creswick and Daylesford. It was always a completely unacceptable location as the centrepoint of Victoria’s renewable transmission networks,” Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood said.

However, the mostly unchanged power line route, and significantly larger towers recommended in the report, are a cause of concern for Hepburn Shire Council.

“The report recommends an increase in the overhead power lines from 220kV to 500kV through our Shire. This would require significantly larger towers, which will have an even greater impact on our important landscapes, farming, and the community,” Cr Hood said.

Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden said that while Council has been advised the proposed changes don’t directly impact Moorabool, now was the time for AEMO to listen to the community and regain social licence for the related Western Renewables Link project.

“The order made under the National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2005 (NEVA) allows AEMO to assess alternative options to both VNI West and Western Renewables Link. It is encouraging to note that AEMO has not only been listening, but also been acting upon, community concerns regarding the VNI West project and the location of the substation in Mount Prospect, resulting in a review and proposed changes to the project,” Mr Madden told the Moorabool News.

“In order to regain any social licence in the region, AEMO must again use the powers provided under the NEVA order to reassess the Western Renewables Link project, and ask whether the link is even needed anymore and if there are low-impact alternatives available to solve the project in the timeline required.

“The community of Moorabool Shire deserve the same consideration as those impacted by the VNI West. The Moorabool voice needs to be heard. AEMO now has the power to correct the mistakes made. We will be making a submission to the consultation report and strongly encourage anyone who is impacted by either project to also provide their opinion.”

The report, a summary document, and information on how to provide feedback are available at aemo.com.au/initiatives/major-programs/vni-west.
Feedback is due by 5 April 2023.