Victorian transmission line plan to be probed by inquiry following fury from farmers

The fury of farmers who heckled Jacinta Allan about the controversial transmission line plan may be eased momentarily after the state opposition pushed for an inquiry.

A controversial plan to build high-voltage powerlines throughout regional Victoria, which is causing huge concern in farming communities, will be probed by an upper house inquiry.

The state opposition has pushed for the Victorian Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee to investigate the transmission line plan.

Katherine Myers and son John, 6 months, on her property north of Ballarat where the government has planned to run large high voltage electricity transmission lines across farm land. Picture: Jason Edwards

A panel will investigate the power transmission system plan proposed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), as well as the state agencies carrying out the work, VicGrid and the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV).

New proposed Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) will also be looked at.

Opposition spokesman for energy David Davis said the state was failing in its approach to improving the state’s energy supply.

Opposition spokesman for energy David Davis. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“Jacinta Allan and her ministers have stripped planning powers from communities and curtailed consultation,” he said.

“The impacts on communities must be examined and fair arrangements put in place. The Allan Labor government has lost social license for its forced imposition of high voltage transmission lines over vast sways of country Victoria,” Mr Davis said.

Farmers protest against the Allan government outside the All Seasons Hotel in Bendigo. Picture: David Geraghty

It comes after Ms Allan was confronted by angry farmers in Bendigo in August, who accused that Premier of forgetting her bush roots.

A week later, AusNet workers donning body-worn cameras broke into a farmer’s property in western Victoria as the energy company prepares to roll out controversial transmission lines across private farmland.

Under land access legislation by the Essential Services Commission, AusNet has the statutory right to access private land – laws that have sparked fury among farmers.

Originally published as Victorian transmission line plan to be probed by inquiry following fury from farmers