Farmers are remaining reluctant to speak openly about widespread concerns with AusNet’s plans to install transmission lines across Victoria as part of the VNI West link.
Last month Federal Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud joined a group of 50 farmers who visited Canberra to raise awareness of their concerns.
Several farmers spoke at the press conference and emphasized their support for renewable energy but also their opposition to transmission line infrastructure.
Country News spoke with a horticulture producer in the western Riverland.
“I feel that AusNet is trying to back me into a corner to muzzle me,” the farmer said.
“If I identify myself in this debate, it will have a negative impact.
“Landholders who speak up will find themselves in the firing line of the government or AusNet.”
The grower said his property backed on to where a terminal is proposed to be built but said he had greater concern that the corridor was being widened with its capacity doubled.
The proposed transmission path passes through two parts of his farm.
The property has been funded for a more efficient irrigation infrastructure but because the nature of its food production is traditionally on land smaller than that used for livestock, that infrastructure would be rendered “useless”.
The grower also raised concerns about the need to apply for permits to do necessary production work inside the powerline easement.
The greatest issue with many farmers is the devaluation of land due to what is considered as “borderline” compulsory acquisition.
Some farmers fear suffering devaluation in the order of 15 to 50 per cent, depending on how close their property is to the easement.
Tom Henderson-Drife helps coordinate Western Victorian Economic and Cultural Protection Group which opposes AusNet’s proposed transmission lines connecting wind farms near Ararat with Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Mr Henderson-Drife said that his bank had devalued his property by 50 per cent which stymied his attempts to buy further land on the equity of his property.
Mr Henderson-Drife was critical of the guaranteed compensation to farmers of $8000 per kilometre per year for 25 years.
“That wouldn’t even cover the interest of any loan taken out in the valley,” Mr Henderson-Drife said.
“And if bushfires come we will be powerless.
“It’s insane to think what they are going to do to us.”