AusNet sets out powerline compo rules: More than $200K per tower

AusNet has announced how much it will pay landholders to compensate for high-voltage towers on their land, as part of the Western Victoria Transmission Network.

Powered up: AusNet’s plan to build a 190km 500kV transmission line from Bulgana to Sydenham has fired up landholders who fear it will devalue their properties.

AusNet Services will pay landholders more than $200,000 to compensate for each high-voltage tower it builds on their properties, as it prepares to roll out the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project.

The towers, ranging in height from 50m to 70m, will carry renewable electricity via 500kV powerlines 190km from Bulgana to Sydenham.

Landholders will also be compensated for easements taken out on their properties under each powerline span, which will range in width from 40m to 100m.

Details of how compensation will be individually negotiated were released this morning, as part of a $50m package.

“Calculating compensation will not be done with a blanket approach,” AusNet project director Stephanie McGregor said.

“Every landholder along the final route will be treated individually, and a range of factors and potential impacts will be taken into consideration. Landholders will also have the option to discuss flexible payment options for agreed easement compensation, such as spreading it over a longer period.”

The compensation guidelines state a qualified valuer will undertake all compensation valuations and:

WHERE a negotiated option for easement is agreed, easement compensation (80 per cent) is generally paid at the time the option is exercised, with the balance paid at the time the easement is registered on the land title, which will be detailed in the option for easement. Flexible options to pay over a longer period are also available.

WHERE a negotiated agreement cannot be reached, AusNet Services may, with the approval of the Governor in Council, compulsorily acquire the required easement under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic), the amount of compensation you receive is based on the valuation carried out by the Valuer General or a person who holds the qualifications

Where an easement is being acquired, the compensation for market value is the difference between the market value of the land before the easement and after the easement.

Valuations will also consider:

SEVERANCE, the reduction in market value of land caused by it being split by an easement.

SPECIAL VALUE, which accounts for any additional financial value only available to the specific landholder in respect of the affected land and not to the market in general.

LEGAL and valuation costs will also be reimbursed as part of the compensation.

DISTURBANCE to the landholder’s business, such as being unable to harvest a crop.

Earlier this year, AusNet fast-tracked a study into the use of land and machinery height limits under the proposed transmission line, confirming that farming, including irrigated horticulture, can safely continue.

AusNet will also be writing to landholders if it needs temporary land access as part of the project, outlining why access is required, contact details of a dedicated Land Liaison Officer and a template voluntary land access consent form.

Where voluntary land access consent cannot be reached, AusNet Services can enforce its right of access under section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.