The Victoria – New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West is a proposed new high capacity overhead transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales.

As Australia moves to greater reliance on clean energy generation, including the closure of coal-fired power plants, it needs to ensure that our transmission network is essential to ensure reliable energy supply.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for planning and directing the development of our electricity network. Part of that is the VNI West, which will connect substations from Ballarat to Kerang, through Bendigo. Transgrid is the organisation which manages the network.

The path of this transmission line is not determined. Here at Mount Alexander Shire Council, we have made a public submission, which you can read below, stating our in-principle support for the shift to clean energy. This is in line with our declaration of a climate emergency in 2019.

We also wish to ensure that:

• Where there is the ability for our community to influence decisions, they can
• Environment, cultural heritage and community wellbeing are a priority
• Community benefit must be considered
• Existing and new renewable energy generation must be considered
• Electricity supply to our community is essential

We are committed to listening to the Mount Alexander Shire community, and advocating on their behalf throughout this process, which currently has a ten-year timeline.

You can read more about the project on the AEMO website, and you may contact them for more information on 1800 845 044 or email VNIWestRITT@aemo.com.au.