General News
6 November, 2025
39 landowners hit with VNI West ‘let us in’ order
Some notices have been attached to fences in the St Arnaud district last week with Transmission Company Victoria claiming they had been received by “small number of landholders”.
FARMERS on the route of the contrversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project have been handed notices forcing them to allow access to their land.
Some notices have been attached to fences in the St Arnaud district last week with Transmission Company Victoria claiming they had been received by “small number of landholders”.
A TCV spokesperson later told NCN Herald there were 39 notices. Access notices were to “facilitate access to land where time-critical ecological surveys are required and voluntary access has not been agreed”.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation said farmers in the path of the VNI West were being steamrolled following the issuing of Section 93 notices, effectively granting compulsory access to private land.
President Brett Hosking said the timing and manner of this move was deplorable and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for farmers’ rights and businesses.
“Forcing access to farms at one of the busiest times of year, at the height of harvest, a time when biosecurity and protection of the crop is paramount shows just how out of touch this process has become,” Mr Hosking said.
“They don’t care, they won’t listen and at this point, it seems they will move heaven and earth to drive a bulldozer through generational farming families in their way.
“Shame on them for swinging a wrecking ball at some of the best farming land in the country.”
Mr Hosking said farmers had rights when faced with compulsory access notices, saying transmission companies must abide by the Land Access Code of Practice.
“These companies must consult with landholders on site-specific biosecurity needs before they access land,” he said.
“Biosecurity is paramount when it comes to farming and these transmission companies must not come anywhere near the front gate if they haven’t consulted with landholders.”
VNI West spokesperson Mick Douge said: “Earlier this month, 39 landholders received voluntary access reminders about the need for critical, non-invasive and season-specific ecology surveys to support the Environment Effects Statement process for VNI West.
“From late October, 29 of those landholders throughout the project corridor are being provided Notices of Access, posted or hand delivered. These notices confirm access dates, times and activities required - first detailed in the reminder.
“We’re grateful to have negotiated access with some landholders who received a reminder, and hope other landholders will work with us to define their access requirements through agreement.”
NCN Herald understands TCV sent or issued notices to landholders across the length of the project alignmen from Stawell to Kerang.
“The notices are issued where season-specific ecology survey access is required for select properties due to the associated flora or fauna values likely present. Notices are not specific to any local government area,” a source said.
TCV has been criticised for issuing notices as farmers start harvest.
But Mr Douge claimed: ““We know this is a busy time of year for farmers, and we’ve worked with landholders through their access agreements to schedule surveys that avoid disruption.”
Meanwhile, VicGrid has taken over planning Victoria’s electricity transmission network, with a new independent board to oversee its work.
The government authority said: “Victoria’s energy system is undergoing significant change as unreliable coal-fired power stations close and are replaced with affordable and reliable solar and wind generation, backed by batteries and new transmission infrastructure.
VicGrid’s board, appointed by the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, will be chaired by veteran energy industry executive Steve Rieniets.
The change means VicGrid now has ultimate responsibility for major projects like the Western Renewables Link and VNI West.
AusNet Services remains responsible for the design, approvals, construction and operation of WRL. TCV, which is overseeing the delivery of VNI West, will now transfer to VicGrid which will also manage network connections.
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