Nationals and One Nation want transmission commitments held off

GIPPSLAND South MP and Nationals leader Danny O’Brien and One Nation candidate for the seat Bianca Wilkie have both called for the brakes to be put on the Gippsland offshore wind transmission project.

Mr O’Brien has urged Premier Ben Carroll to hold off awarding the tender for VicGrid’s project until after the November 28 state election, while Ms Wilkie wants early works paused until the project’s environmental assessment is complete.

Mr O’Brien said local landholders had raised concerns that VicGrid intended to appoint its development partner within weeks, shortly before Victorians head to the polls.

“I’ve written to the Premier urging him not to enter into any tenders or contracts for new offshore wind transmission lines in Gippsland ahead of the state election,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We’re only 45 days or so away from the election and this is a contested project, one that has significant community opposition, significant questions and no environmental effects statement even completed.”

“This is a major project with lasting consequences for Gippsland landholders and communities,” he said.

“The Premier should ensure this tender is not awarded before the election and leave the incoming government to consider the decision.”

The proposed 2GW project would connect offshore wind generation to the existing electricity network through about 55 kilometres of overhead 500kV transmission line between a connection hub near Giffard and Loy Yang.

Mr O’Brien said affected farmers and nearby residents were continuing to raise concerns about the project, with its Environment Effects Statement (EES) process still underway.

“Landholders are being asked to contemplate significant changes to their properties while important questions about the project’s impacts remain unresolved,” Mr O’Brien said.

He said the offshore wind auction, which will determine whether any offshore wind farms go ahead, would not be concluded until well into 2027.

“This is putting the cart before the horse,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There should be no rush to sign contracts that could constrain the next government or expose Victorians to costs if changes are required.”

Mr O’Brien said the Nationals and Liberals had committed to a full review of the Victorian Transmission Plan and to repealing the new compulsory land access and acquisition powers, including laws allowing transmission easements to be compulsorily acquired before environmental assessments are completed.

“We will restore proper protections for landholders and their right to challenge renewable energy projects and transmission lines in VCAT,” he said.

Ms Wilkie wants an immediate pause on irreversible state-controlled works and contractual commitments until the environmental assessment is complete.

Her call follows Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s amendment of the project’s Public Works Order under the Environment Effects Act 1978 on Wednesday September 30, which allows a range of early works to proceed before the EES process is completed, subject to any other approvals that may be required.

Those works include two new 500kV bays and connection works within the Loy Yang switchyard, a temporary construction compound and laydown area, access tracks and drainage, site buildings and geotechnical and environmental investigations.

“These changes have been described by the planning minister as minor refinements, but installing new 500 kV infrastructure and preparing construction facilities represents a tangible advancement of the project within the region,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Before further money is committed, Victorians deserve to know the complete cost of the offshore wind transmission project, its effect on electricity bills, the contractual exit liabilities and the full environmental and economic consequences for Gippsland.”

VicGrid has said it is running a competitive two-stage tender and expects to appoint a development partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the line and connection hub in late 2026.

The line would connect the first 2GW of offshore wind, the state government’s target for 2032, which it says is enough to power 1.5 million homes.

Landholders who host new transmission lines are paid $200,000 per kilometre in annual instalments over 25 years, on top of existing compensation.