Farm carve up: transmission lines turning rural Victoria into a “scrap yard”

Farmers are fuming over their land being carved up by 500kV transmission lines, to feed wind and solar energy into Melbourne and Sydney.

Farmers Brad (left) and Trevor McDonald, Ian Coates and Barry Batters say massive power transmission pylons and easements will slash their St Arnaud properties’ values. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Victorian farmers are fuming at the prospect of 500kV transmission lines carving up their properties to carry wind and solar power into NSW and Melbourne.

Gooroc grain grower Gerald Feeny said the massive pylons and easements would not only cut up properties and slash farm values, but were “just ugly”.

“I don’t know how much more greening rural Victoria can take, before it looks like a scrap yard,” Mr Feeny said. “You have to ask ‘Why are people in the bush carrying the can for this green energy scheme?’”

Under current rules, farmers will be entitled to compensation for the value of the 70-metre to 100-metre easements under the 500kV transmission lines and pylon footprints, plus $200,000 for every kilometre line paid out as annual instalments of $8000 over 25 years.

But St Arnaud farmer Brad McDonald said he couldn’t see how any compensation could offset the impact of the massive transmission project.

“It’s going to be a big obstruction to getting around for spraying and harvesting,” Mr McDonald said. “Hopefully it won’t come through here.”

Sutherland cropping and sheep producer Barry Batters said community consultation on VNI West was “virtually non-existent, on an issue that will be detrimental and life-changing for many people.

“As we see in so many cases, decisions are made about our lives by authorities not living in our area, without any meaningful consultation.”

St Arnaud real estate agent and agronomist Brett Douglas said the Australian Energy Market Operator overseeing the VNI West planning process had “blatant disregard for landowners in rural Victoria.

“Have they considered the impact on productive rural land, a farmers greatest asset, and are they familiar with the modern techniques of farming which these towers will impact on their operation?

“From a real estate value perspective the minor compensation does not equal the loss in land value.”

Meanwhile members of Pissoffausnet group were due to gather at Dean Recreation Reserve yesterday to meet AEMO and AusNet executives to discuss the Western Renewables Link that will tap into VNI West at Bulgana.