The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling on the Premier to ensure no tender is awarded for VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission project before the November state election.
Mr O’Brien said local landholders had raised concerns that VicGrid intended to appoint its development partner within weeks, shortly before the November state election.
“This is a major project with lasting consequences for Gippsland landholders and communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Premier should ensure this tender is not awarded before the election and leave the incoming government to consider the decision.
“Gippslanders deserve the opportunity to have their say at the ballot box before Labor locks in further commitments on a project that will affect their farms, homes and livelihoods. This is particularly the case when the offshore wind auction process, which will determine if any offshore windfarms go ahead, won’t be concluded until well into 2027.”
The proposed Gippsland 2GW transmission project would connect offshore wind generation to the existing electricity network via an overhead transmission line between 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 process still underway.
“The Nationals have asked the government to publicly release advice on the costs of the urgent and whether it can be under stitched but we are yet to receive answers.
“Landholders are being asked to contemplate significant changes to their properties while important questions about the project’s impacts remain unresolved.
“Awarding the tender just weeks before the election would only deepen concerns that the government is determined to push ahead regardless of what regional communities have to say.
“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 Labor’s 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.
“These are clear differences that Victorians should have the chance to vote on before further major commitments are made.
“The Premier must put fairness for Gippsland communities ahead of Labor’s election timetable and hold off on awarding this tender until after the election.”
