February 28th, 2024

The Hon. Jacinta Allan

Premier of Victoria

Parliament House Spring Street Melbourne, VIC 3000

jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

Dear Premier Allan,

HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION TOWERS PRESENT UNACCEPTABLE RISK TO REGIONAL VICTORIA COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

I write to you today with grave concern regarding the proposed high voltage transmission projects in regional Victoria, particularly in light of the recent catastrophic failures of the current system. The collapse of six transmission towers at Anakie on February 13th 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with outdated infrastructure.

It is imperative that we address how and why these towers failed. The proposed construction of 400km of transmission lines through regional western and northwestern Victoria for the proposed Western Renewables Link and VNI West projects raises significant safety concerns for our communities, especially considering the use of proposed outdated technology. The collapse of these towers not only resulted in electricity outages for over 500,000 households at a yet to be accounted massive economic cost but also posed a severe threat to regional lives and the environment.

Despite numerous recent instances of tower collapses in Victoria (Cressy) and elsewhere, it appears that adequate measures to ensure the resilience of our energy network have not been implemented. The State government’s failure to heed the lessons from past incidents and the lack of proactive solutions to safeguard the broader system is deeply concerning.

This is in the context that the driver for transmission projects is the renewable energy transition to mitigate climate change risk, yet the infrastructure choice of old tower technology has been made while being completely ignorant of this same risk that brings extreme weather and is also made solely on a cheapest upfront construction cost basis – it’s not good enough.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) must be held accountable for its role in this catastrophe. The State government’s reliance on AEMO’s guidance, without considering independent expert advice on energy transition and superior solutions for high voltage transmission lines, is unacceptable.

The recent State of the Climate report by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to global warming. In such a climate, it is imperative that we invest in transmission networks that are not only reliable and resilient but also sustainable and efficient.

The proposed Western Renewables Link and VNI West High Voltage Transmission projects do not meet these criteria. There are far better alternatives available that would reduce congestion on the existing transmission network and provide for upgrades, minimize environmental impact, and have the support of affected communities.

Parts of the proposed route run through Victoria’s most high-risk bushfire areas as well as prime agricultural land placing an unacceptable increased risk on these communities. The proposed high voltage transmission projects will have significant and detrimental generational impacts on the environment due to the extensive removal of native vegetation and the destruction of more than 475,000 mature native trees, this will cause serious loss of biomass and wildlife. There will be devastating impacts on Victorian farmers, their families, livelihoods, and local businesses because of significant farming productivity loss. The ability to fight fires around 500kV high-capacity double-circuit overhead transmission lines and 80m towers will be severely restricted and place extreme risk on our volunteer firefighters.

In assessing the most suitable path forward, adopting a triple bottom line perspective, we must build a grid that is:

• Reliable: Minimizing outages and their detrimental effects.
• Sustainable: Minimizing environmental impact and adapting to climate change.
• Affordable: Considering the full triple-bottom line economic costs over the lifespan of this infrastructure, not just upfront direct investment.

A Call to Action

Policy Changes: Policy makers must consider broader economic costs and resilience factors in infrastructure projects.

Public Engagement: Increased public awareness and engagement can influence decision-making.

Comprehensive Cost-Benefit Analysis: We need thorough assessments that factor in the full economic impact of outages.

However, we must emphasize a critical point that cannot be overlooked: western and northwestern Victorian landowners are vehemently opposed to the construction of these transmission towers on their land. Under no circumstances will they allow the State government or project proponents onto their properties to build this infrastructure. Landowners are prepared to go to significant lengths to prevent access, including legal action currently against the Minister in the Supreme Court and civil defiance.

This staunch opposition from landowners will undoubtedly continue the already significant conflict between the State government and the affected landholders. The ramifications of this conflict extend far beyond the approval-seeking phases of both projects and into the construction phase, potentially causing prolonged delays, increased costs, and irreparable damage to community relationships.

Premier Allan, the energy future of our state rests in your hands. I implore you to prioritise the safety and well-being of Victorians by advocating for resilient, sustainable energy solutions. The future of our communities and environment depends on your leadership in this critical matter.

Yours sincerely,

Moorabool and Central Power Alliance Inc. (MCHPA) now trading as Regional Victorian Power Alliance on behalf of western and northwestern Victorian Communities

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