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BULOKE Shire Council has expressed its disappointment with VicGrid’s decision to publicly exhibit the VNI West Environment Effects Statement (EES) at the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year for local farmers.
VNI West is a proposed 240-kilometre transmission line that would cross hundreds of farms, with the EES exhibition period coinciding with the start of harvest across the region.
Mayor Graeme Milne said Council had repeatedly raised concerns with VicGrid about undertaking consultation with farming communities during harvest.
“Just as our farmers are gearing up for a very busy harvest season, VicGrid has put out its 9,690 page EES. How are our farmers meant to read and understand this incredibly lengthy document at the same time as bringing the harvest in?” said Mayor Milne. “We have told VicGrid repeatedly to avoid holding consultation during harvest, and they keep ignoring us.”
Council is also concerned about the timing of the exhibition in the lead-up to next month’s Victorian State election.
“What’s more, there’s a State election next month and the election result could mean that VNI West is over. Despite that, VicGrid is asking farmers and residents to spend their valuable time reviewing their massive report and making submissions on a project that may not proceed” said Mayor Milne.
The timing comes as farming businesses across the region are already managing a number of pressures, including high diesel prices and concerns about the availability of farm labour during harvest.
“We do not need this added pressure on farmers” said Mayor Milne.
In reviewing the terms of reference for the inquiry, Council was alarmed to learn that the State Government has split environmental matters for consideration into ‘key’ and ‘other matters’. There is an extensive list of other matters, including matters of significant concern to Council such as roads and transport, of which submitters are not allowed to provide any evidence or call expert witnesses.
“Roads are one of the biggest issues in our Shire, with the recent auditor general's report identifying Buloke as having 84% of its State road network in poor or very poor condition, the second worst local government area in the State. Now to find out, without any prior notice, that we can't provide any evidence or call any independent expert witnesses besides writing a submission, it's hardly a fair hearing” said Mayor Milne.
Council will make a formal submission outlining its concerns with the VNI West project.
The EES was published on 5 October and is open for submissions until 16 November. Further information about the EES and submission process is available through Engage Victoria at https://engage.vic.gov.au/VNI-West-IAC.
If the project continues following the State election, a directions hearing is scheduled for 7 November 2026, and public inquiry the week commencing 8 February 2027.