General News
9 October, 2026
Six weeks to have say on VNI West
LANDHOLDERS and communities along the proposed VNI West transmission corridor now have six weeks to formally respond to the project’s environmental assessment, as one of the biggest stages in the controversial project’s approval process gets underway.
The Environment Effects Statement for the estimated $7.6 billion transmission project went on public exhibition on Monday, October 5, alongside a draft Planning Scheme Amendment that would allow the project to proceed and establish planning conditions.
Submissions will remain open until 11.59pm on Monday, November 16.
The exhibition marks a significant point for communities across western Victoria after years of debate over VNI West, which proposes about 240 kilometres of new 500kV double-circuit transmission line from Bulgana to the Murray River.
Technical specialists have spent the past two years examining potential impacts on agriculture, bushfire risk, noise, traffic, water, flora and fauna, cultural heritage and local communities.
The EES is Victoria’s most comprehensive environmental impact assessment process and will ultimately inform the Planning Minister’s assessment of the project.
The accompanying draft Planning Scheme Amendment proposes changes to four local planning schemes, including Northern Grampians, to allow the project to proceed and establish planning conditions.
For people wanting to scrutinise the material locally, printed copies of the complete EES and supporting documents are available at VNI West’s regional project office at 179 Main Street, Stawell, as well as online.
The project team will also hold four information sessions in Stawell during the six-week exhibition period.
Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, October 29 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, Friday, October 30 from 8.30am to 11.30am, Thursday, November 12 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, and Friday, November 13 from 8.30am to 11.30am.
VNI West program director Mick Douge encouraged people with an interest in the project to examine the documents and participate in the process.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in the project to explore the Environment Effects Statement in a way that best works for them,” he said.
“From 5 October, people will be able to access information online or at one of our regional offices, join a webinar, use our visualisation tools and videos, or speak directly with the project team and technical specialists at one of our community sessions.”
Panels Victoria will administer the formal submission process, with submissions forming part of the project’s assessment.
An independent Inquiry and Advisory Committee will consider the EES, draft Planning Scheme Amendment and submissions before providing advice to the Planning Minister.