VicGrid visited Woodside, Yarram and Sale this past week for drop-in consultations about the ‘Offshore Wind Transmission In Gippsland and Portland’ project.
The drop-in sessions provided locals with the opportunity to learn more about the project and speak to a VicGrid project team member, with flyers, leaflets and booklets to take home also offered.
VicGrid, a government agency that has also been consulting private companies such as AusNet about their renewable energy projects, released the 2023 Development and Engagement Roadmap last month, outlining the process, including opportunities for communities to have their say.
More than 100 people attended an online webinar on Monday evening last week (May 1).
The event touched on VicGrid’s role, project objectives, decision-making approach and relevant timing for offshore wind in Gippsland and Portland.
Only a handful attended the drop-in session last Tuesday morning at Woodside Public Hall.
The representatives from VicGrid hosted a similar session that afternoon at the Yarram Theatre, with another at Sale Memorial Hall on Thursday afternoon.
One of the controversies with the various renewable energy projects is the transmission lines, in particular the potential impact that overhead lines may have on landowners, the environment and communities.
Last month, Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, wrote in a letter to the editor to the Gippsland Times that he had been contacted by “many residents who are concerned by the impact of planned overhead transmission lines as part of AusNet’s proposed Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone (GREZ).”
“I recently asked the Minister for Energy and Resources (Lily D’Ambrosio) to consider undergrounding of these transmission lines at the beginning of planning, given that a government agency, VicGrid, is only now beginning consultations on transmission options for proposed local renewable energy developments,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This is separate but related to AusNet’s proposal.
“The Minister has replied to my enquiries and advised that no decisions have been made to date on whether transmission lines will be overhead or underground and assured me that community feedback will be considered.”
The work led by VicGrid will include assessing a range of feasible transmission options. This includes where overhead or underground options might be more suitable, consideration of the potential transmission corridors identified by Star of the South, AusNet and other offshore wind developers, and the consideration of other options.
The state government anticipates confirming a coordinated connection point location(s) in Gippsland by the end of 2023.
“The Victorian government has given VicGrid the job of coordinating the transmission for offshore wind in Gippsland and Portland,” VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker told the Gippsland Times.
“Government-led transmission means we can deliver the infrastructure needed for offshore wind in a way that reduces the cumulative impacts on local communities and the environment and delivers benefits for all Victorians.
“VicGrid has organised a series of information sessions in Gippsland and Portland so that communities can find out more about the planning of this infrastructure.”
Another drop-in session has been scheduled at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon tomorrow morning at 9.30am.
