General News
14 December, 2025
VNI West powers on despite blockades
THE VNI West transmission line project remains on schedule as crews continue spring and summer ecology surveys across the region, despite multiple landholders refusing access to their properties. VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said the surveys were a necessary part of the project’s Environment Effects Statement and were designed to help assess and protect environmental values along the proposed easement. He said most landholders had agreed to cooperate with survey teams.
“VNI West is a crucial project to keep the lights on for all Victorians as we replace ageing coal-fired power with new renewable energy sources,” Mr Parker said.
“These ecology surveys are essential to help us understand and protect the local environment.”
Across the broader project area, more than 165 landholders have voluntarily granted access, allowing over 300 private property surveys to date, and VicGrid says feedback has already prompted more than 250 tower locations to be shifted.
About 220 properties fall within the preferred easement, with 29 receiving Section 93 notices after declining initial requests for access.
Mr Parker said crews had left “calmly and safely” where access was blocked, and that the authority would continue seeking cooperation wherever possible.
“Our strong preference is to talk with landholders and agree voluntary access because it gives them more say about when and how surveys occur,” he said.
He added that while recent protests had not affected the project timeline, any sites still awaiting access would be rescheduled in accordance with the Land Access Code of Practice and the Electricity Industry Act.
The assurance follows a highly publicised blockade at Wallaloo East last Tuesday, where more than 200 opponents of the project formed a line across the entrance to local farmer Ben Duxson’s property, preventing VicGrid staff from entering.
Mr Duxson said he and neighbouring landholders were united in their opposition to compulsory access and the broader direction of the state’s energy plans.
“The last two weeks, we've been at the front gate, supporting neighbours and fellow farmers that are having TCV and VicGrid trying to come and compulsory access our country for some environmental surveys,” he said.
“We're saying a big no, we’ve always said a big no to this project.”
Mr Duxson also questioned the long-term energy strategy underpinning VNI West, pointing to comments made this week by Victoria Energy Policy Centre director Associate Professor Bruce Mountain, who argued there were “much cheaper, quicker ways to achieve the energy transition” without imposing high costs on landholders and consumers.
Despite the opposition, VicGrid says the project remains essential to the state’s future electricity reliability and will continue advancing its environmental and planning work.
The authority’s most recent estimate places the Victorian section of the project at around $3.87 billion, reflecting updated design and market conditions.
Read More: Stawell