Tara Murray
Undergrounding the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project would cost 16 times more according to an investigation into the construction of the transmission line.
AusNet Services announced on Friday, it had narrowed down the corridor of land for a proposed route to provide clarity to hundreds of landholders.
The proposed route for the 190-kilometre transmission line between Sydenham and Bulgana is the result of 18 months of investigations, field surveys and consultation.
WVTNP executive project director Stephanie McGregor said it had been designed to run along existing transmission line easements and at a maximum distance from houses as far as possible, and to minimise impacts – including on Aboriginal cultural heritage, agriculture, and vegetation.
“Determining this proposed route is a positive step toward unlocking more clean, renewable energy as the state moves to sustainable green power in coming years,” she said.
“There are three locations along the route where alternative options are still being investigated – at Hepburn Lagoon, Darley and Melton Aerodrome – due to potential visual, landscape, Aboriginal cultural heritage and aviation impacts.”
AusNet Services also released the preliminary findings of its investigation into undergrounding the transmission line, including full and partial undergrounding.
The investigation has found that undergrounding the transmission line would require significant soil and vegetation removal and disturbance of Aboriginal cultural heritage, would limit opportunities for future renewable development, not meet the technical availability and reliability requirements of the electricity system, and cost approximately 16 times more.
As a result, overhead construction has been recommended.
Melton and Moorabool councils along with residents have been calling for the line to be laid underground.
Plumpton farm owner Barb Ford told Star Weekly in June that overhead lines would go through the middle of her property and would restrict work being carried out in some paddocks.
Community consultation will occur in the coming weeks.
