FAQs

What is the Western Renewables Link project?
What changes have been made to the Western Renewables Link project?
Why is this infrastructure needed?
What is the wider community benefit?
Who is delivering the project?
Farmers, particularly potato farmers, say your transmission lines will destroy their business. How do you respond?
Are transmission lines dangerous in terms of bushfires?
What are the health implications for living near electricity transmission?
How do you define a “significant view”?
How close can transmission lines and towers be built to a building such as a home, a school or a business?
How has feedback been used?
How can I get involved in the process?
How can local businesses get involved?
What is AusNet doing for the mental and physical health of impacted communities?
How do I make a complaint?
How can I make an enquiry or share feedback?

What is an Environment Effects Statement (EES)?
When will the WRL EES be on public exhibition?
Who is approving the EES?
Understanding alternative options
Are environmental impacts being considered?
What was the new Environment Effects Statement referral?
Why were the Sydenham Terminal Station works removed from the project scope?

What is the primary planning approval for the Western Renewables Link?
How does a planning scheme amendment differ from a planning permit process?
What does the draft planning scheme amendment propose?
How can landholders and community members provide comment on the draft planning scheme amendment?
What are the next steps after the exhibition of the EES?

What is the role of your Land Liaison Officer?
Why is access required?
What will happen on my property?
Will aerial surveys be used?
What if something significant is found?
Can I view the study findings?
How will AusNet request access to your land for field surveys and investigations?
How do I provide voluntary consent for access?
What happens if voluntary land access consent is not reached?
What is the Land Access Consent form (LAC)?
What is the Landholder Participation Fee payment?
What is the Essential Services Commission Land Access Code of Practice?
AusNet's commitments regarding access
What is section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic)?
What is a neighbouring landholder?

Is the proposed route the final route?
Why haven’t my concerns about the route of the transmission line been taken into consideration?
Why is the Western Highway option not being pursued?
What options are being explored for reducing visual impact?
What will the proposed route be around Waubra?
What will the proposed route be around Hepburn Lagoon?
What changes were made to the proposed route in August 2024? 

What is an easement?
Will the easement be shown on the property title?
Why is an easement needed for a transmission line?
How wide is the easement?
Are there differences between the existing transmission network and the proposed Western Renewables Link?
What activities are permitted within easements?
How can I apply for a safety assessment or permit to work?
How do easements affect bushfires and firefighting?

Will there be compensation paid to landholders where there is an easement on their property?
How is compensation for the easement assessed?
Who determines the amount of compensation and how will I know if the compensation process is fair?
There are reports landholders will get certain specific amounts in compensation. Is this true?
Is the compensation less for a property only hosting the cables and no towers?
Will neighbours to the easement be able to receive formal compensation?
When will compensation be paid?
Is compensation a one-off payment or an annual payment?
Will this project impact the value of my property?

What is an Option for Easement?
What documents are in the Option for Easement proposal pack?
Will professional advice expenses be covered?
How is compensation assessed in the Option for Easement?
Can I get a second opinion on the compensation valuation?
Does compensation cover sheds, farm equipment and crops etc.?
What are the key differences between the Option for Easement and compulsory acquisition of the easement?
What if the project does not gain approvals?
How does this relate to the landholder payments announced by the Victorian Government recently?
Where can landholders find more information about the Option for Easement process and compensation?

What is the difference between transmission and distribution lines and networks?
How tall will the transmission towers for Western Renewables Link be? 
How far apart will the transmission towers be?
What will the ground clearance be?
When will transmission line infrastructure be inspected?

What new terminal stations are required for the project?
Where will the proposed terminal stations be?
How big will the proposed new terminal station near Bulgana be?

What is the difference between overhead and underground transmission lines?
Is undergrounding being considered?

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Undergrounding

Is undergrounding being considered?

We investigated the feasibility of an underground 500kV transmission line in response to community interest in undergrounding and the Environment Effects Statement (EES) scoping requirements.

We know undergrounding is something many in the community care deeply about. Unfortunately, it does not meet the project objectives and is therefore not a viable option for this project.

Underground cables don’t easily allow new renewable energy sources to connect along the route, which is one of the project’s goals. It would also take much longer to deliver and cost significantly more.

The EES explains why undergrounding does not meet the project objectives and is therefore not feasible for the Western Renewables Link.

For more detail, please explore Attachment II Assessment of Feasibility for an Underground 500kV transmission line for Western Renewables Link on our projects Environment Effects Statement webpage.

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