Council supports VNI West option 5A route

Published on 01 June 2023

Gannawarra Shire Council has welcomed a proposed realignment of the VNI West route, which would involve constructing new high capacity electricity transmission lines that will pass through the Gannawarra.

Following a recent community engagement period, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in consultation with the State Government has revised the proposed route for the 500-kilovolt double-circuit overhead transmission line that will connect key electricity infrastructure projects near Stawell in Victoria and Jerilderie in New South Wales.

Further engagement will occur to narrow VNI West’s confirmed route, with the area of interest covering the southwestern part of the Gannawarra Shire and a corridor of land north of Kerang

“Council, along with the Murray River Group of Councils, has been advocating for VNI West to pass through the Gannawarra, and we have been promoting the benefits of these works to our residents for the past six years,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“VNI West will set up Northern Victoria as the nation’s largest renewable energy zone and will secure the Gannawarra’s economic sustainability.

“VNI West is also important to Victoria’s energy network. With coal-fired electricity sources to be phased out by 2035, renewable energy projects and connecting eastern Australia’s electricity networks will be key to Victorian homes and businesses being able to access electricity.”

Council has worked with landowners and investors during the past decade regarding renewable energy projects within the Gannawarra, many of which cannot proceed without the development of VNI West.

“There are many landowners around Kerang and the western part of the Gannawarra Shire who are working on developing renewable energy projects, as they realise that energy infrastructure and agricultural practices can co-exist,” Council’s Executive Manager Economic Development, Roger Griffiths said.

“The Gannawarra is already home to an electricity sub-station at Kerang, and the 220-kilovolt transmission lines that connect this site to other locations throughout Victoria have been in place for more than 50 years, crossing irrigated, dryland and cropping properties with minimal impacts.”

Along with the installation of the 500-kilovolt double-circuit overhead transmission line, VNI West will also involve construction of a new electricity sub-station near Kerang, with a location still to be determined.

“Construction of VNI West will create additional employment, which will have flow-on benefits to the Gannawarra’s accommodation, retail and hospitality sectors,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“This new infrastructure will also enable major renewable energy projects to proceed, opening up billions of dollars of investment opportunities, creating thousands of construction jobs in the years to come and potentially bringing in millions of dollars to our Council in future Payment in Lieu of Rate payments, which will benefit all residents.

“Council is committed to helping landowners located within VNI West’s areas of interest, including providing information and coordinating meetings with AEMO to discuss issues around timing of works and appropriate compensation.”

A new AEMO company, Transmission Company Victoria has been established to undertake early works in Victoria, including community, landholder and Traditional Owner consultations and ongoing investigations into the corridor and ultimate route. For more information regarding Transmission Company Victoria, please visit www.transmissionvictoria.com.au

For more information regarding VNI West, please visit www.aemo.com.au/VNI-West