THE controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line will need federal approval.
Transmission Company Victoria says Environment Minister Tanya Pliberseck has confirmed an assessment will be made of the line proposed to run from Stawell to Kerang and through the Loddon Shire.
TCV’s website update said the minister’s decision was made this month.
Ms Pliberseck has decided VNI West is a “controlled action” under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation. Assessment Act will be made under the agreement between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.
Meanwhile, Mallee MP Anne Webster has backed the Coalition’s call not to support Labor’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
“They are fanciful – they cannot be reached. Australians need a federal government that will tell the truth about the rush into renewables, and the genuine cost to households and communities,” Dr Webster said.
She said the Government had engaged in a destructive renewable energy rush
“The Prime Minister has not released the modelling on the renewable rollout’s true cost. He has not delivered on the permanent $275 power bill reduction voters were promised 97 times before the last election.  “A one-off $300 discount over four quarters of 2024-2025 simply doesn’t cut it.”
Dr Webster said the Federal and Victorian Governments backflipped on the role that gas would play in the energy transition, while the New South Wales Government had extended the operation of coal-fired power.
“In Mallee, the divisive roll-out of hundreds of kilometres of the VNI West transmission line and myriad wind turbine proposals is stirring bad blood in local farming communities who are at the pointy end of Labor’s political and unachievable 82 per cent renewables rollout target,” Dr Webster said.
“The Coalition is committed to a net zero energy mix by 2050, which could include nuclear energy - if the business case and local community support is there in former coal-fired power station sites already connected to transmission networks.”