TRANSMISSION Company Victoria says it is set for detailed talks to gain VNI West land access agreements with three-quarters of owners along its renewable energy transmission line corridor.
The controversial draft corridor has been narrowed to a preferred easement of 70 metres along most of the route, subject to the Environment Effects Statement, TCV said on Friday.
The announcement followed confirmation to the Loddon Herald earlier in the week that 150 of 550 landowners had signed access agreements.
“In discussing the preferred easement with their landholder liaisons, landholders are wanting to know more about issues including compensation and land valuation – and we are well positioned to have these detailed conversations now that a preferred easement has been identified,” said VNI West program director Tony Hedley. 
“Pleasingly, we’re getting hold of most people and while not everyone necessarily agrees with the project, they appreciate the updates we’re providing. 
“We will also reach out directly to those people with properties neighbouring the preferred easement, as well as those whose property will no longer be directly impacted – acknowledging the time taken by many people across the draft corridor to engage with TCV and share information. 
“The identification of the preferred easement will provide greater certainty to people across the draft corridor. 
It also means we can start more detailed conversations about what the project might mean for each landholder and their land, and how we can best work together as the project moves forward. 
“We will continue to work with landholders to identify opportunities to minimise the impact to their farm operations, views, day-to-day movements, plans for future property improvements - and to answer any other questions they may have.”
Mr Hedley said its was unfortunately the process of refining the route for transmission was drawn out and complex and had created uncertainty for many people. “We needed to take time to listen and to carefully assess all the information” for the best outcome, he said