What is the Western Renewables Link project?
What changes have been made to the Western Renewables Link project?
Why is this infrastructure needed?
What is the wider community benefit?
Who is delivering the project?
What is the project timeline?
Farmers, particularly potato farmers, say your transmission lines will destroy their business. How do you respond?
Are transmission lines dangerous in terms of bushfires?
What are the health implications for living near electricity transmission?
How do you define a “significant view”?
How close can transmission lines and towers be built to a building such as a home, a school or a business?
How do peoples' opinions of impacts affect the project outcomes?
How can I get involved in the process?
What is AusNet doing for the mental and physical health of impacted communities?

What is an Environment Effects Statement (EES)?
Are alternatives being considered?
Are environmental impacts being considered?
What was the new Environment Effects Statement referral?
Why were the Sydenham Terminal Station works removed from the project scope?

What is proposed for the Western Renewables Link?
How does a planning scheme amendment differ from a planning permit process?
What will the draft planning scheme amendment propose?
How can landholders and community members provide comment on the draft planning scheme amendment?
What are the next steps after the exhibition of the EES?

What is the role of your Land Liaison Officer?
Why is access required?
What will happen on my property?
Will aerial surveys be used?
What if something significant is found?
Can I view the study findings?
How will AusNet request access to your land for field surveys and investigations?
How do I provide voluntary consent for access?
What is the Land Access Consent form (LAC)?
What is the Landholder Participation Fee payment?
What is the Essential Services Commission Land Access Code of Practice?
What happens if voluntary land access consent is not reached?
What is section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic)?
AusNet's commitments regarding access

What is a neighbouring landholder?
What is visual impact assessment?
What options are being explored for reducing visual impact?
How can neighbouring landholders register interest in having their view assessed?
Will neighbours to the easement receive formal compensation?
Where can neighbouring landholders find more information?

Is the proposed route the final route?
Why haven’t my concerns about the route of the transmission line been taken into consideration?
Why is the Western Highway option not being pursued?
What changes were made to the proposed route in August 2024? 
What will the proposed route be around Waubra?
What will the proposed route be around Hepburn Lagoon?

What is an easement?
Will the easement be shown on the property title?
Why is an easement needed for a transmission line?
How wide is the easement?
Are there differences between the existing transmission network and the proposed Western Renewables Link?
What activities are permitted within easements?
How can I apply for a safety assessment or permit to work?
How do easements affect bushfires and firefighting?

Will there be compensation paid to landholders where there is an easement on their property?
How is compensation for the easement assessed?
Who determines the amount of compensation and how will I know if the compensation process is fair?
There are reports landholders will get certain specific amounts in compensation. Is this true?
Is the compensation less for a property only hosting the cables and no towers?
Will neighbours to the easement be able to receive formal compensation?
When will compensation be paid?
Is compensation a one-off payment or an annual payment?
Will this project impact the value of my property?

What is an Option for Easement?
What documents are in the Option for Easement proposal pack?
Will professional advice expenses be covered?
How is compensation assessed in the Option for Easement?
Can I get a second opinion on the compensation valuation?
Does compensation cover sheds, farm equipment and crops etc.?
What are the key differences between the Option for Easement and compulsory acquisition of the easement?
What if the project does not gain approvals?
How does this relate to the landholder payments announced by the Victorian Government recently?
Where can landholders find more information about the Option for Easement process and compensation?

What is the difference between transmission and distribution lines and networks?
How tall will the transmission towers for Western Renewables Link be? 
How far apart will the transmission towers be?
What will the ground clearance be?
When will transmission line infrastructure be inspected?

What new terminal stations are required for the project?
How big will the proposed new terminal station near Bulgana be?
Where will the proposed terminal stations be?

Why have contractors been shortlisted before planning approvals have been approved?
When will a preferred delivery partner or partners be appointed?
How can local businesses get involved?

What is the difference between overhead and underground transmission lines?
Is undergrounding being considered?

How do I make a complaint?
How can I make an enquiry or share feedback?
Landholders

What is the Essential Services Commission Land Access Code of Practice?

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has developed a Land Access Code of Practice (Code of Practice) which came into effect on 1 March 2024. This Code of Practice replaced the ESC Land Access Statement of Expectations.

ESC’s Code of Practice governs procedures for electricity transmission companies, such as AusNet, to follow when seeking access to private land under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) (Act). The purpose of the Code of Practice is to mandate specific requirements to be followed before, during and after land access under section 93 of the Act to improve communication with landholders, occupiers and other key stakeholders and to minimise impact. It also regulates the information electricity transmission companies must provide prior to signing a Land Access Consent form.

AusNet and the Western Renewables Link project team are committed to complying with the Code of Practice and we want to assure you that our engagement approach and processes for land access align with the requirements set out by ESC in the Code of Practice.

More information on our land access procedures and protocols can be found in our Landholder Guide: Land access for field surveys and investigations. The ESC has also published an information sheet titled Information for landowners (esc.vic.gov.au)

A full copy of the Code of Practice can be found on the Essential Services Commission website.

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