Overview: AusNet Services is planning a 190 km overhead transmission line in western Victoria which will impact Moorabool’s entire landscape. Council is advocating for the lines to be put underground through its Green and Unseen campaign, persistent correspondence with decision-makers, and community education sessions.
Latest news
AusNet Services has corrected the fact sheet released yesterday and added more detail to the map that shows the potential corridors. We have also been informed a more interactive map will be live today. For more information on council’s position and a link to the project website go to https://www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/western-victoria-transmission-network-project
AusNet Services has released the corridors and next steps for determining the final route: https://www.westvictnp.com.au/1news
Council has commissioned an independent local economic impact assessment. This document can be read here.
A report presents a review of the RIT-T and associated documents has led to the following findings:
- The RIT-T does not appear to consider costs or benefits outside the electricity market.
- The RIT-T process selects a preferred option on the basis of net direct electricity market benefit and does not take into account any local, indirect or non-market impacts (positive or negative).
- The capital costs considered include construction, operation, maintenance, regulatory costs and easements. It is apparent that no other costs are considered such as non-market economic, social and environmental impacts.
- The benefits assessed include price benefits to electricity consumers and the profitability of energy production and subsequent flow to business.
- It is apparent that no other benefits are considered, including non-market economic impacts.
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Project timeline and resulting actions
Project background
What is the project?
AusNet Services has been awarded the contract to construct 190 km of new overhead high voltage transmission lines from Sydenham to Bulgana, a new terminal station to the north of Ballarat and several electricity infrastructure upgrades across western Victoria. Whilst the route of the transmission line has not yet been determined, AusNet Services has identified an area of interest and is undertaking investigations.
Moorabool Shire is proposed to have almost 60 km of 500 kV transmission lines from the far west border through to the east, and may also house the new terminal station.
Project approvals
AusNet Services prepared an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project, as mandated by the Minister for Planning in August 2020.
The Minister for Planning issued the final scoping requirements in December 2020 which broadly outline the issues that AusNet Services must address in the Environmental Effects Statement assessment.
Read the Environmental Effects Statement Scoping Requirements.
Read the Environment Effects Statement Scoping FAQs.
Once completed, an inquiry will consider the EES and submissions, conduct a public hearing and report in writing to the Minister, who will then make his assessment and provide it to decision-makers for consideration.
The project is also classified as a ‘controlled action’ under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and assessments will be managed by the State Government under this Bilateral Agreement.
Council involvement
What is Council doing?
We are addressing community concerns and supporting residents by urging decision-makers to put the lines underground and provide transparent information to the public.
Underground is the solution
In order to explore the viability of alternative solutions, we commissioned an independent report that compares 500 kV Overhead Lines with 500 kV Underground Cables. It confirmed that the undergrounding of powerlines is a viable option.
Key findings:
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To install a portion of the route underground is a technically feasible option
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Undergrounding significantly reduces the magnetic field level when standing 15m away, compared to overhead lines
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Underground lines are not susceptible to weather conditions and experience a third of the forced outages
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The easement requirement for underground is two-thirds of that of above ground
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There are less vegetation management requirements for underground lines
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Overhead lines emit audible noise whereas underground lines do not
Green and Unseen campaign
Council has launched a campaign called Green and Unseen which urges AusNet Services to put the transmission lines underground.
“We’re proud to produce renewable energy through our wind farms… but putting the powerlines overhead is not green and is actually dangerous to Moorabool residents – hence our Green and Unseen campaign.” said Mayor Cr David Edwards.
Educating the community
We are coordinating a series of online community sessions with independent experts to better inform the community on various aspects of the project.
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Understanding the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process
Presented by Jack Krohn. Senior Impact Assessor, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Wednesday 23 September 2020
Watch the recording
Additional Q&A - DELWP
Additional Q&A - AusNet Services
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Understanding compulsory land acquisition and compensation
Presented by Tony Rutherford, Shaun Whittaker and Jackson Dyer from Mills Oakley Law Firm
Thursday 8 October 2020
Watch the recording
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Energy Safe Victoria Part 1 - Safety and High Voltage Transmission Lines
Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
Wednesday 21 October 2020
Watch the recording
Additional Q&A - Energy Safe VictoriaEnergy Safe Victoria Part 2 - Farming and High Voltage Transmission Lines
Presented by Brett Fox and Gavin Jackson from Energy Safe Victoria
Thursday 3 December 2020
Watch the recording
Additional Q&A 2 - Energy Safe Victoria
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AEMO explains RiT-T and findings
Presented by Tony Chappel, Alex Wonhas, Greg Thorpe & Alistair Parker.
Wednesday 9 December 2020
Watch the recording
Project timeline and resulting actions
Council has been advocating on behalf of the community with decision-makers throughout the entire process:
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April 2017 |
AEMO publishes the first report, the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) which seeks feedback and advice on the identified need for new transmission infrastructure. |
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December 2018 |
AEMO published Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) that assessed the technical and economic feasibility of options to improve transmissions options in western Victoria. |
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31 January 2019 |
CEO and council staff have an Initial meeting with AEMO. Project report in draft and no final decision made on which project will be put to tender. |
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1 February 2019 |
Council requests potential alignment from AEMO. Provided very high-level map from PADR. |
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February 2019 |
Advert appears in local paper:
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Feb-May 2019 |
Council seeks further clarification on the preferred alignment and its impact on Moorabool Shire Council. |
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6 June 2019 |
Council meets with AEMO to discuss the project in more detail |
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26 June 2019 |
Council provides a detailed submission to AEMO. Council’s view was that the project needs to be conducted in a manner that has the least impact on our residents, our existing landscape, the natural environment, farming activities, our towns and the growth projected for the Shire. Council reiterated that the most appropriate way to address these concerns would be through the undergrounding of the powerlines, ideally for the extent of the project or at least in part. |
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28 June 2019 |
Submission supplied to all Federal and State Members. |
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9 July 2019 |
Council Staff meet with AEMO to discuss the Submission |
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19 July 2019 |
Western Victoria Renewable Integration Report – Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) published. This report confirms that the preferred option is a new 500kV line from Sydenham to North Ballarat. |
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29 July 2019 |
Council does media release and the project is in the Moorabool News. |
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1 October 2019 |
Council officers receive briefing from AEMO on PACR |
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22 October 2019 |
Council provides second submission to AEMO focussed on potential fire risk. Submission reiterates the request of underground. |
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17 December 2019 |
AEMO selected Mondo, the commercial division of the AusNet Services Group to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project. |
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18 December 2019 |
Mondo wrote to Council stating they will be in touch in the new year to discuss project. |
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18 December 2019 |
Council wrote to Mondo providing our submissions and reiterating the need to understand where the alignment was proposed to be. |
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20 December 2019 |
Mondo/AusNet acknowledging letter. |
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13 March 2020 |
Council had first meeting with Mondo/AusNet. Council first told that letters were going to be sent to landowners (this got put on hold due to COVID-19). |
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1 April 2020 |
Moorabool holds first meeting with all affected councils |
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28 April 2020 |
Joint letter from Moorabool, Melton and Hepburn raising concerns |
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4 May 2020 |
Letter from AusNet acknowledging receipt of letter |
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1 June 2020 |
AusNet advises council officers that letters were sent to 120 land owners. Phone calls commenced the following week. |
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3 June 2020 |
AusNet provides briefing to Councillors |
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19 June 2020 |
Victorian EES Referral accepted by Planning Minister Referral documents: |
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20 June 2020 |
Community held meeting in Myrniong |
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26 June 2020 |
Second joint letter from Moorabool, Melton and Hepburn councils |
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27 July 2020 |
Letter to Minister for Planning from Moorabool, Melton, Hepburn and Ballarat councils |
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29 July 2020 |
CEOs from Moorabool, Melton and Hepburn met with Executive team from AusNet and AEMO to discuss issues raised in first joint letter |
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4 August 2020 |
Planning Minister confirms EES will be required for project Minister’s decision documents: |
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6 August 2020 |
Federal EPBC Referral accepted and open for public comment EPBC Referral documents:
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13 August 2020 |
Moorabool CEO writes to AEMO asking for an expanded justification on the cost comparison used to rule out underground as an option |
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14 August 2020 |
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18 August 2020 |
A joint letter from Moorabool, Melton, Hepburn and Ballarat councils raising concerns |
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25 August 2020 |
Mayor David Edwards writes to Victorian MPs seeking their support to ask AusNet to bury the transmission lines. |
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2 September 2020 |
EPBC Decision – controlled action assessed under the bilateral agreement with the Victorian Government |
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4 September 2020 |
Letter to Federal Minister for Energy and Emission Reduction |
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4 September 2020 |
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23 September 2020 |
Community Session 1: Understanding the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process |
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25 September 2020 |
Council releases independent report that compares aboveground with underground |
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8 October 2020 |
Community Session 2: Understanding compulsory land acquisition and compensation |
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9 October 2020 |
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21 October 2020 |
Community Session 3: Energy Safe Victoria Part 1 - Safety and High Voltage Transmission Lines |
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December 2020 |
Minister for Planning issues final scoping requirements for EES. |
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3 December 2020 |
Community Session 3: Energy Safe Victoria Part 2 - Farming and High Voltage Transmission Lines |
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9 December 2020 |
Community Session 4: AEMO explains RiT-T and findings Presented by Tony Chappel, Alex Wonhas, Greg Thorpe & Alistair Parker. |
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24th February 2021 |
AusNet Services has released the corridors and next steps for determining the final route: |
Provide feedback to AusNet
Council strongly encourages everyone to share their feedback directly with AusNet Services and have their voices heard by visiting www.westvictnp.com.au, calling (03) 9021 0674 or emailing info@westvictnp.com.au.
