Farmers in Western Victoria have received infringement notices for not permitting authorized personnel onto their properties to facilitate the construction of the VNI West transmission line.
In order for the VNI West project to advance, officials must assess private land along the proposed route to evaluate its suitability for the project.
One sheep stud farmer, Trent Carter, has announced his intention to contest the fine in court, stating he will not pay it.
On Tuesday, 12 farmers were informed via mail that they had each been fined $814 by the Victorian government for obstructing access to their lands, which is necessary for the planning and development of the contentious VNI West project.
Additionally, six farmers received formal warnings for denying access to their properties.
Carter, who operates a farm in Marnoo, expressed his determination to fight the fine, emphasizing the implications of the situation for property owners nationwide. “This is a wake-up call for property owners, whether rural or urban,” he remarked. “What we believe to be our rights over our land may not be as secure as we think, as governments appear to have the authority to intervene at will.”
He also indicated plans to seek legal counsel, aiming to represent fellow property owners and establish a legal precedent against perceived governmental overreach.
Despite being warned of potential fines and confrontations with law enforcement, farmers have continued to refuse access to their land for the required transmission planning activities.
In order to proceed with VNI West, authorized officers require entry to private land to assess agricultural, environmental, cultural, and heritage impacts associated with the project.
The fines issued by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) allege that the farmers obstructed authorized personnel from entering their properties “without reasonable excuse, hindering, obstructing, or delaying authorized activity.”
DEECA has been approached for further comment on the matter.
VicGrid, the organization overseeing the planning of the transmission works, stated that it does not issue infringement notices and cannot influence the outcomes of any legal reviews or court proceedings. A spokesperson for VicGrid noted that they have consistently made efforts to negotiate voluntary agreements with landowners over several years.
“We have enhanced access and early benefit payments, arranged on-site inductions, and offered landowners the flexibility to select their own survey specialists,” the spokesperson added.
Moreover, VicGrid emphasized that transmission companies have had established rights under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 to access land for planning and maintenance activities related to transmission infrastructure, including conducting surveys.
However, Carter criticized the approach taken by authorities, citing inadequate communication and poorly timed requests. He mentioned that access attempts were made during critical agricultural periods, such as the sowing season in mid-April and the harvest season previously.
“They attempted to gain access during our lambing season, which runs from April to mid-August. It is crucial to minimize disturbances during this time to uphold animal welfare standards,” he stated.
