General News
2 February, 2025
Drones idea for power line surveys may dodge landowner lockout
Investigations continued to finalise VNI West route.
Transmission Company Victoria has a suggestion on how it could conduct ongoing environmental surveys for the controversial VNI West power line - drones.
The power company used airplanes in 2023 to survey the power line's route through central and northern Victoria.
Now TCV is compiling its Environment Effects Statement, more studies of the proposed 240km route is necessary.
Many objecting landowners have refused permission for TCV to physically enter their land.
TCV has applied for an electricity transmission licence which would give it a legal right to access the farm land even though the company says "this is not the driving need" for its application.
"TCV has been explicit that its strong preference remains to access land via individual land access agreements and option for easement contracts with landholders," TCV said.
A decision on the licence application is still to be made.
In the past week, TCV held its seventh Community Reference Group meeting for VNI West in Charlton.
"The use of drones when undertaking surveys to minimise property traffic," was raised at the meeting, according to TCV.
There was no suggestion TCV would adopt the idea.
The planned route for the VNI West transmission line across western and northern Victoria was made public in late October.
The latest "preferred" route where easements will be required is about 240km long and 70 metres wide.
The online route map is here.
Energy operators say the new power line is necessary to connect wind and solar projects in western Victoria to the national electricity grid.
VNI West will run from Bulgana near Stawell to the Dinawan terminal station near Coleambally in NSW via a new terminal station at Kerang.
TCV has already bought a farm at Tragowel, near Kerang, to host a new terminal to connect with the existing Bendigo-Kerang 220 kV transmission line.
The transmission towers are expected to be around 80 metres high and located 400 metres apart.