Transgrid seeks more community feedback on preferred corridor for major transmission project

Transgrid will hold Q&A sessions at Deniliquin and Moulamein this month for landowners in the preliminary preferred corridor option for the proposed new 500kV double circuit transmission line connecting the high voltage electricity grids in NSW and Victoria.

A number of Community Information Days will also be held at Moulamein and Deniliquin in early August to allow members of the public and other interested stakeholders to drop in and ask questions of the Transgrid project team and provide submissions.

Community members and interested stakeholders attended three information sessions in Deniliquin, Moulamein and Jerilderie recently. The public consultation period for the Draft Corridor Report has now been extended until August 4, 2023.

Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor said: “Transgrid is committed to working closely with communities, landowners, local councils and traditional owners to ensure best-practice planning for this nation-critical transmission project which is vital to enable our clean energy future.

“I encourage landowners, members of the community and other interested stakeholders to come and see us if they would like to provide their valuable feedback and ask questions to help us understand the issues, reduce impacts and reach the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

“We have also offered to visit potentially affected landowners along the preferred corridor to better understand onsite issues, hear any concerns and learn more about them and their properties.

“This critically important project will ultimately help consumers access cheap, clean and secure electricity and assist the nation to achieve its emissions reduction targets.”

Transgrid will hold Q&A sessions for potentially affected landowners in the preferred corridor for the NSW section of the project at:

• Moulamein Recreation Complex on July 17 from 2-4pm; and
• Deniliquin RSL Club on July 18 from 3.30-5.30pm.

The Community Information Days will be held at Moulamein Bowling Club on August 1-3 from 10am-4pm, and at Deniliquin RSL Club on August 4 from 10am-4pm.

The Draft Corridor Report evaluates a number of potential corridor options and identifies a preliminary preferred corridor option which runs from Transgrid’s Dinawan substation, north of Jerilderie in NSW, to new substations proposed near Kerang and the Western Renewals Link in Victoria.

VNI West is being jointly developed with Transmission Company Victoria and will connect major projects EnergyConnect in NSW and Western Renewables Link in Victoria.

It is recognised by the Australian Energy Market Operator as a priority project in its 2022 Integrated System Plan which will increase the amount of energy shared between the two states and deliver the best options for electricity customers in the long term.

Community consultation events and activities are promoted via advertisements in local newspapers, on the Transgrid website and via local councils and community groups.

For more information about VNI West visit: https://www.transgrid.com.au/projects-innovation/vni-west

Transgrid media contact:

Michelle Stone 0438 293917