SUGGESTIONS from campaigners against the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line that Transmission Company Victoria is sharing landholder information with wind and solar farm companies has been rejected by the project company.
Farmers attending a meeting organised by the Wallaloo and Gre Gre District Alliance in Boort last Wednesday said that landholders in the western section of the proposed VNI West path were being contacted one week by wind farm companies and then the next by TCV.
James Bourke questioned the connection between TCV and the wind farm company.
However, a spokesperson for TCV’s parent company, Australian Energy Market Operator, said there was no sharing of information.
“Landholder information which is accessed from publicly available sources, is used by TCV to contact landholders within the draft VNI West corridor,” they said.
“TCV uses publicly available information to contact landholders within the draft VNI West corridor.
“We regularly share project information with local community members and directly to landowners, including via land agents assigned to each property owner.
“This direct contact will help deliver a project with the best outcomes for landholders, local communities and all Victorians as our energy supply transitions from burning coal to renewables.”
And claims that last February’s sudden change of direction was politically motivated have also been rejected.
The original preferred option was to run the line from Bendigo to Kerang, including through part of now-Premier Jacinta Allan’s electorate.
“The change to the VNI West project was following a recommendation from AEMO and followed a public consultation that received over 500 submissions and analysis of how best to minimise impacts on communities and accelerate delivery of the project,” a Government spokesperson said this week.
“New transmission is vital for securing affordable and reliable renewable energy for Victorians – VNI West will connect new renewable generation into the national energy grid, delivering more affordable energy to Victorians all across the state.”
Ms Allan was not the premier when the change of route to the Stawell-Kerang path was announced and she “did not have any meetings with AEMO/TCV/Transgrid and made no representations on the route”.
The alliance roadshow has also been to Donald and is in Moulamein this week.
Alliance spokesman Ben Duxson told the Boort meeting attended by more than 100  people: “We are one year into the battle ... the Government is steamrolling this project through.”
He and key member of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation St Arnaud branch Gerald Feeny were among speakers in Boort who called for conversation on other options to VNI West.
Rupanyup farmer and former Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weideman said a federal inquiry was needed into all renewable energy projects. Mr Weideman said nuclear and hydrogen options needed a proper plan as part of the future energy mix.
Last week’s Boort meeting lasted more than three hours with farmers again critical of AEMO and the State Government.