AusNet Services release new WVTNP Landholder Guide
The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) today released the Landholder Guide: Land access, easements and compensation. "I've added a few thoughts of my own for consideration. Have a read then download the guide".
The guide provides additional information about land access, easements and compensation for landholders affected by the WVTNP. "It does not contain any information regarding compensation for neighbouring properties or those visually impacted. We need to ensure we keep advocating for this. I have personally paid a premium for the land where I built my home as it overlooks the Lerderderg State Park. The views are stunning, yet I am expected to bear the burden and cost of hosting 80m high towers (16 of them in fact) right across my viewline without any form of compensation. I know many of us are in the same boat. This will not happen in my lifetime".
Issues such as land access, easements and compensation are extremely important for landholders - and that’s why AusNet Services has developed these guidelines for publication ahead of the proposed route being determined. Again, it does not contain any information regarding compensation for neighbouring properties or those visually impacted. This is not acceptable by any means. Multi-year affected landholder and neighbour compensation must be introduced.
The WVTNP is planning a new 190km transmission line from Bulgana to Sydenham which will put downward pressure on electricity costs while providing Victorian communities with access to renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar. "There is no evidence to support this claim. Check out the blow out in costs for HumeLink. The main issues in the paper included the 250% blowout in estimated cost from $1.3bn to $3.3bn, the resulting 40% increase in NSW transmission tariffs".
Western Victoria currently hosts approximately 4,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generation. This project is estimated to increase the Renewable Energy Zone hosting capacity in Western Victoria significantly. "Estimated, because noone really knows. This project may be constructed but if there are no solar or wind farms built, then it's all for nothing".
Once complete, the additional transmission line capacity will carry enough energy to power more than 500,000 homes. "That's all. Western Vic communities are expected to carry the burden and economic disbenefits of this project, simply to provide power to 500,000 homes? That seem like an extremely unfair proposition. Compensation will not cover the economic, visual, mental health and amenity losses we will experience".
Take a look at the guidelines on the WVTNP website and, if you have any questions, please reach out to the project team by phoning them on 1300 360 795 or by emailing info@westvictnp.com.au
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The only way to make a difference is to get involved. It’s easy to sit back and wait for others to do something but when you are staring at 75-85m towers in a few years time, you will kicking yourself for not doing something when you had the chance. This is OUR only chance to stop these towers, so get involved now.
Welcome to the home of Darley Power Fight. A group of residents in Darley, Coimadai and Merrimu, united against high voltage transmission towers passing through our backyard. We came together through the realisation the transmission line will divide a narrow corridor between Darley and the Lerderderg State Park; altering landscape character, causing widespread damage to critical habitat for threatened species, increasing fire risk to the Park and thousands of residents, destroy our visual amenity, harm local agriculture and will impact businesses and property values. It will completely desecrate, in a few years, what nature has taken millions of years to create.
