FARMERS in northern areas of the Loddon Shire are still to sign land access agreements with Transmission Company Victoria.
The VNI West preferred corridor is expected to run through irrigation land between Glenloth and Oakvale, just north of Boort.
One landowner, Leigh Parry said: “We haven’t signed anything yet.”
Mr Parry and his sons are major irrigators in the district and have been critical of the project and its processes since Australian Energy Market Operator made its surprise change of route announcement in early 2022.
The Parrys says they have also been contending with approaches from up to five companies looking to establish wind farms in the district.
The Loddon Herald has been told at least one farmer in the north of the shire continues to reject approaches from TCV which wants to lock in the land access agreements along the preferred corridor.
It is understood VNI West plans have been adjusted in some areas to avoid lateral irrigation acreage but that could be at the expense of irrigation dam bays used to store water with one farmer saying he could lose 10 acres under the plan that will not be made public for at least another three weeks.
Another farmer said at the weekend: “We have told them that putting the route through our irrigation land is not negotiable.” Mr Parry and other landowners said they were also concerned about future ownership of VNI West.
TCV is calling tenders for project partners who will eventually own the renewable energy transmission line, saying the owner would “build trust with the community and deliver on community benefits”.