A crucial terminal station proposed to link 2 big power transmission lines in Central Victoria might be moved after the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) got “considerable” feedback versus the organized website.
Key points:
- The WRL transmission task would carry renewable resource from Bulgana, north of Ararat, to Melbourne
- VNI West powerlines are proposed in order to link the Snowy Hydro 2.0 with Victoria
- A farmer states the underground choice needs to be checked out which the strategy as it stands threatens prime farming land
The proposed 24- hectare terminal station is required to link the Western Renewables Link (WRL) to the New South Wales Interconnector West– or VNI West– transmission job.
Both jobs propose that high-capacity 500 kilovolt transmission lines go through local Victoria to link renewable resource into capital cities and need a terminal station “near Kerang”.
Now examinations are being carried out to examine whether the website needs to be moved from north of Ballarat at Mount Prospect.
The strategy created outrage amongst farmers in the location.
The 2 brand-new websites being examined are more west in the state, Bulgana and the Waubra/Lexton location.
Fifth-generation potato farmer Kane Richardson, who lives beside the suggested terminal station website in Mount Prospect, states he is delighted other choices are being thought about, however the choice exposes an absence of preparation.
” It’s a favorable action from their point of view– they’re getting up to the truth that this isn’t going to overcome this main highlands area, although it’s taken almost 3 years,” he stated.
” It’s a pleasing modification in tone.
” The entire area of Newlyn was going to struggle with that terminal station, however the issue is that someone else is going to need to handle it.”
Food bowl ‘honey pot’
AEMO stated in a declaration that there had actually been no choice made about altering the proposed place north of Ballarat.
“[Hopefully] they can get it in a location with extremely little real estate within the area,” Mr Richardson stated.
” The terminal station turns your food bowl into a honey pot for more [energy infrastructure].”
Farmers were likewise worried the terminal station would be flooded and the location was flooded just recently.
” AEMO came out and saw it with their own eyes and were gobsmacked,” Mr Richardson stated.
” How could somebody strategy to put a terminal station on a waterway?
” To make it a safe and secure website safe and secure would require a hell of a great deal of earthworks.”
A representative from AusNet Services, the owner of the WRL, stated there was a continuous effort to “assess the effect that any proposition to move the scheduled terminal station” would have on the expediency of the transmission task.
It is uncertain if the proposed 190- kilometre transmission path from Bulgana to Melbourne would alter if the terminal station was transferred.
Mr Richardson stated having powerline easements on his home would be destructive to his organization.
” I do not disagree with renewable resource, however what I do disagree with is interrupting extremely important, extremely efficient farm land and the facilities that has actually been put in location to water that.
” It’s a slap in the face to the farmers.
” When they’re not checking out world class innovation in undergrounding [the transmission lines], there will be resistance from a lot of neighborhoods, I picture.”
‘ Why not get this right?’
AusNet has actually formerly stated undergrounding would cost approximately 16 times more than setting up overhead transmission lines.
This figure has actually been contested by councils, consisting of the Moorabool Shire, which approximated it would cost $ 2.7 billion — 5 to 6 times higher than the expense of the overhead choice.
Mr Richardson stated the influence on farming, tourist and the environment validated the additional expense.
” Although the expense might be a little greater, why not get this right?” he stated.
” We simply hope there’s a great resolution and it benefits all neighborhoods.
” There’s no 2 methods about it– we require more renewable resource hooked into the grid, the method coal power stations are closing.”
An AusNet representative stated the business was devoted to neighborhood engagement on the WRL task.
” We totally comprehend the issue and unpredictability a job of this size can produce for regional neighborhoods and households,” they stated in a declaration.