Murky waters on land access

By Lachlan Ellis

The state regulator has set out a new ‘Statement of Expectations’ for how electricity transmission companies access private land – but it remains to be seen how a company planning local power lines will comply.

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) put its Statement of Expectations into effect on Wednesday 1 June, with transmission company AusNet – which is planning the high voltage overhead powerlines as part of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) – welcoming the news.

“The Statement of Expectations will help to ensure the community can hold us to account against clear guidelines of how we are to approach negotiating land access and agreement making,” AusNet’s Chief Development Officer, Chad Hymas, said in a media release.

“AusNet acknowledges how frustrating and upsetting the process of land access has been for some landholders. We hope that the Statement of Expectations and the training our staff and contractors are doing to deliver this, will improve the experience for landholders, acknowledging the challenges experienced to date.”

Mr Hymas added that AusNet is “absolutely committed to working closely with the Essential Services Commission to ensure the community’s expectations are fulfilled and the process is improved in the future”.

Among the principles within the Statement of Expectations are to “ensure staged, timely engagement and consultation”, “employ respectful two-way communication”, and “make clear when and why access is required”.

But community groups fighting plans for the WVTNP to go overhead aren’t convinced much will change with how AusNet operates.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-06-07/12

in the 7 June 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.