VNI West

VNI West VNI West is a major new transmission infrastructure project connecting Victoria and New South Wales.

The March 2026 VNI West Project Update is now available online, sharing information on recent engagement and project act...
30/03/2026

The March 2026 VNI West Project Update is now available online, sharing information on recent engagement and project activities including:

- Community conversations at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days
- Visualisation tools to help people see what the project may look like locally
- Updates from the project’s Community Reference Group
- Geotechnical investigations underway

🔗 Read the full update here: https://vniwproject.com.au/project-updates/project-updates/vni-west-project-update-march-2026

Last week the VNI West team attended the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in Longerenong. Across the two days we had more th...
12/03/2026

Last week the VNI West team attended the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in Longerenong.

Across the two days we had more than 100 conversations with community members who stopped by our stand to ask questions, share their views, and learn more about the project.

We’re always grateful for the opportunity to speak with people face-to-face, hear local perspectives, and share clear information about the project.

🔗 More information about VNI West, including our Farming with Transmission fact sheet, is available online at vniwproject.com.au/fact-sheets-policies

The first meeting of the VNI West Community Reference Group for 2026 was held on 17 February in Charlton.Key updates dis...
11/03/2026

The first meeting of the VNI West Community Reference Group for 2026 was held on 17 February in Charlton.

Key updates discussed included:

• Responsibility transfer from Transmission Company Victoria to VicGrid
• More accessible Land Easement and Access Packages, detailing landholder compensation and benefits
• Landholders appointing legal advisors to assist in the LEAP process; reasonable legal costs reimbursed by VicGrid
• Negotiating property access so surveys can be completed for the Environment Effects Statement (EES)

Members also helped shape topics for upcoming meetings, including:

• An introduction to the team from Iberdrola, the project’s development partner
• Community benefits, impacts, and how ‘community’ is defined
• Updates on the Victorian Transmission Plan and upcoming EES consultation periods

The members of the Community Reference Group provide important information and insights to inform the work of the VNI West project team.

Applications are open for new members – if you or someone you know is interested in joining, we encourage applications.

🔗 More information about the Community Reference Group, including new member applications, can be found here:
vniwproject.com.au/landholders-community/community-reference-group

Due to recent heavy rain, survey activities on private properties were temporarily paused to avoid damage to paddocks an...
06/03/2026

Due to recent heavy rain, survey activities on private properties were temporarily paused to avoid damage to paddocks and access tracks.

Landholders are provided with updates by their Landholder Liaison, and surveys will be rescheduled through existing access agreements when conditions improve.

The VNI West Land and Property Damages Policy details the process for remediating any damage to land during survey activities.

🔗 Find our fact sheets and policies at:
vniwproject.com.au/fact-sheets-policies

02/03/2026

‼️ Important Update – Tuesday Cancelled ‼️

Due to ongoing rainfall and site conditions, the first day of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Tuesday 3 March, has been cancelled in the interest of public safety.

The site is currently too wet to safely operate.

The Field Days will proceed on Wednesday and Thursday with extended trading hours

〰️

Updated Event Hours

Wednesday
8.30am to 7.00pm

Thursday
8.30am to 4.00pm

〰️

Public Parking and Shuttle Information

On Wednesday, all attendees are required to park at Moor Park Golf Club, Dooen.

Shuttle buses will operate continuously throughout the day between the golf club and the Field Days site.

For Thursday, parking arrangements are to be confirmed. We will advise whether on site parking will be suitable closer to the day.

Please continue to monitor our social channels and website for updates.

〰️

Exhibitor Information

Exhibitors are encouraged to attend the site tomorrow to continue setting up, preferably in the afternoon for larger equipment deliveries.

Tuesday- site will open to exhibitors at 8am

Vehicles will be permitted on site, however traffic management will be in place.

Shuttle bus services for exhibitors will be extended:

Wednesday – 7.00am to 7.30pm
Thursday – 7.00am to 7.00pm

〰️

This is a significant community event and we understand the impact this decision has. The safety of our exhibitors, volunteers and attendees must come first.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone on Wednesday and Thursday.

From November, VicGrid took on leadership of the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project as p...
18/02/2026

From November, VicGrid took on leadership of the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project as part of Victoria’s transmission planning responsibilities, which moved from AEMO’s Victorian Planning division to VicGrid.

As part of this change, the project entity name has changed, from Transmission Company Victoria to VicGrid VNI West.

This transition gives VicGrid a chance to strengthen how we work with landholders and communities — with a focus on supporting the people and regions directly affected by the need for new transmission.

What this means for you:

✅ Engagement, planning and environmental assessment work continues without interruption.

✅ All existing agreements and commitments stay the same.

Moving forward, VicGrid’s leadership means stronger accountability, clearer oversight, and a more consistent approach to planning and delivering transmission projects across Victoria.

🔗 Learn more at: www.vniwproject.com.au

It’s been a big year for VNI West⚡️ In 2025, the project progressed planning, engagement and land access activities — sh...
22/12/2025

It’s been a big year for VNI West⚡️

In 2025, the project progressed planning, engagement and land access activities — shaped by landholder and community feedback at every step.

Big ticket items included being granted a transmission license, refining more than 250 tower locations based on landholder input, completing nearly 600 environmental surveys, and advancing the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.

This year also marked a key milestone, with VicGrid appointing Iberdrola Australia as development partner to continue the project design and support procurement, planning approvals, the EES process and engagement.

We remain committed to listening to communities, reducing impacts where possible, and designing infrastructure that supports Victoria’s energy future.

Read the December 2025 Project Update here 👀 https://tinyurl.com/DEC25-Project-Update

Night fauna survey activities are continuing through the end of 2025 🌙🦇🦉 Ecology specialists are out across parts of Lo...
13/11/2025

Night fauna survey activities are continuing through the end of 2025 🌙🦇🦉

Ecology specialists are out across parts of Loddon, Buloke and Gannawarra to observe bat and nocturnal species.

Night surveys on public and private land are taking place between 7 pm – 9 am, using torchlight only.

These activities help us to better understand what wildlife calls the project area home, informing the existing conditions to support the Environment Effects Statement (EES).

The information we collect helps us to understand what types of bats and other nocturnal animals live in the area, their habitat use, and the potential for project impacts and protection for these species.

We invite community members to contribute local knowledge about existing environmental conditions in your area. Share your local insights: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/about-vni-west/environment-effects-statement-scope

Learn more about current and upcoming surveys: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/planned-field-survey-activities

From 1 November 2025, VicGrid officially takes the lead in planning Victoria's transmission network — including accounta...
30/10/2025

From 1 November 2025, VicGrid officially takes the lead in planning Victoria's transmission network — including accountability for the VNI West project — taking a coordinated approach to Victoria's energy transition.

This marks a major milestone in how the State's Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and new electricity generation projects are delivered — providing transparency, clarity and consistency for energy users, landholders and communities.

While VicGrid steps into this new role, Transmission Company Victoria Pty Ltd (TCV) remains your go-to for project updates, community conversations and landholder engagement for VNI West.

Together, we're building the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time.

Learn more about delivering VNI West: https://tinyurl.com/TCV-OCT25-Column

Each year, the Kerang Show brings the community together to celebrate the best of regional life — from agricultural disp...
23/10/2025

Each year, the Kerang Show brings the community together to celebrate the best of regional life — from agricultural displays and animal nurseries to show jumping and evening side shows.

TCV was proud to support this year's event and the local partnerships that made it possible 🌾

🎡 Learn more about the show here: www.kerangshow.com

Proud to play a small part in keeping this great local tradition going 👏
23/10/2025

Proud to play a small part in keeping this great local tradition going 👏

19/10/2025

Seasonal ecology surveys are underway throughout the VNI West project area during Spring and Summer 🦎🔍

These surveys on public and private property involve non-invasive activities such as walkovers, photography, species identification and tree measurement – essential to preparing an Environment Effects Statement that ensures each property’s unique features are properly considered.

VNI West Program Director Mick Douge spoke to ABC Country Hour’s Angus Verley about the voluntary access reminders provided to a small number of landholders in early October.

Voluntary access means that survey access happens in a way that works best for landholders, their properties, and with the least disruption possible.

Voluntary access agreements also unlock clear benefits, including eligibility for 20% of the Landholder Benefit Payment upfront (set at $46,000 per hectare), and a scaled access payment of $10,000 – $50,000, depending on the area landholders make available for surveys.

Listen to a clip of the interview below, or read more here: https://shorturl.at/9q1hI

📻 audio courtesy of ABC Country Hour

Address

2 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Telephone

+611800824221

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