The Victorian Government has announced new landholder payments for communities that host crucial electricity transmission infrastructure, as the state shifts towards renewable energy.
As Victoria’s ageing coal-fired power stations retire and are replaced by renewables, the network needs to be updated to connect new renewable generation and deliver cleaner, cheaper power to homes and businesses.
Acknowledging the important role landholders play in hosting critical transmission infrastructure, the Victorian Government has announced additional payments will be made to landholders of new transmission easements at a standard rate of $8,000 per year per kilometre.
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “These new payments acknowledge the hugely important role landholders play in hosting critical energy infrastructure – a key part of Victoria’s renewables revolution.
”We want to get the process for planning and approving new infrastructure right, so we can make sure the renewables revolution is a shared, equitable legacy for all Victorians.”
First payments under the new arrangements will go to landholders who host transmission easements along the selected VNI West and Western Renewables Link transmission corridors.
This will ensure an equitable approach for projects across the Victorian-New South Wales border, as well as other major projects including the Victoria-Tasmania Marinus Link project and transmission links connecting Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and future offshore wind projects.
The Victoria Government has also released a consultation report for a proposed approach to planning and developing this new network infrastructure, the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework (VTIF).
It is designed to give Traditional Owners, local communities and key stakeholders a voice in the development of new infrastructure so that impacts can be better managed and benefits can be realised.
The new report summarises feedback received through a six-week process conducted with regional communities, stakeholders and industry representatives, which will be a key input into decision-making on these proposed reforms.
Key themes include:
- Broad support for VTIF’s proposals for earlier and deeper community engagement
- A new strategic land use assessment to support better decisions on land use
- Strong interest in a new approach to benefit sharing
- Meaningful partnership with Traditional owners throughout the entirety of the transmission lifecycle
The consultation report is now available at engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-transmission-investment-framework.
