Electricity transmission compulsory acquisition powers opposed
TL;DR
Gannawarra Shire Council has expressed its opposition to legislative changes that will make it easier for transmission companies to compulsorily acquire private land for transmission and renewable...
Electricity transmission compulsory acquisition powers opposed
Gannawarra Shire Council has expressed its opposition to legislative changes that will make it easier for transmission companies to compulsorily acquire private land for transmission and renewable energy projects before environmental assessments were complete.
Earlier this month the Victorian Parliament passed amendments to the
Electricity Industry Act 2000
that will enable transmission companies to acquire land required for major projects, such as VNI West, earlier in the project development process.
"My fellow Councillors and I vehemently oppose any attempt by the government to compulsorily access or acquire farmer's land," Mayor Garner Smith said.
"The Gannawarra is the municipality that will be impacted the greatest by VNI West, with the proposed transmission line running from our rich Mallee farming areas up to our dairying districts near the Murray River at Murrabit.
"By adopting these changes, the Victorian Government has reduced VNI West's social licence, which was already at a low level."
Mayor Smith, Cr Daniel Bolitho and Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson recently met with Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D'Ambrosio MP and VicGrid Chief Executive, Alistair Parker to discuss Council's concerns regarding compulsory acquisition.
"Our message delivered at this meeting was that compulsory powers are unacceptable and only needed because of a lack of the project's social licence. Our solution was providing cheap electricity for Gannawarra residents, businesses and industry from the renewables we produce with no transmission or distribution charges," Mayor Smith said.
"Unfortunately, the Minister did not mention at this meeting the government's plans to fast-track legislation to speed up compulsory power usage. Omitting this plan during our discussions was disrespectful to Council's delegation and raises the question of how much respect those responsible for the development of VNI West have for our farmers and the community.
"Council will continue to fight for our communities to ensure that projects such as VNI West benefit residents now and in the future."
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