Farmers in tractors are circling Victoria's parliament to protest against a plan to build transmission lines across their land.
Key points:
- A farmer whose land could be in the path of the 400-kilometre transmission corridor believes the government is feeling pressure
- He says an alternative transmission plan should be considered
- The government is maintaining its position and the premier and the energy minister have declined to meet with he protesters
The connected Western Renewables Link and Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West projects would run through western Victoria from Melbourne to NSW.
The proponent, the Australian Energy Market Operator, says the transmission lines are necessary to help transmit electricity between states as more renewables come online.
But farmers say they will limit their ability to farm, devalue their land and create firefighting risks.
They have the backing of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre's Professor Bruce Mountain and retired transmission expert Simon Bartlett, whose report No Longer in Transmission puts forward an alternative plan.
"I think if VNI West goes ahead it will be a giant public policy failure," Professor Mountain told the ABC earlier this month.
'Cracks starting to form'
This morning farmers drove more than 20 trucks carrying dozens of tractors via the Western Highway to an unloading yard in West Melbourne.
The tractors were unloaded there and driven through the city to Parliament House.
Jason Barratt, whose farm could fall in the pathway of VNI West, helped organise the rally.
"These lines need to be stopped and the best part about it is there is an alternative," he said.
"Professors Mountain and Bartlett have come out with a plan B, which utilises existing easements.
"Ultimately it's the government's decision to stop this, so we need to take it right to the front doors of Parliament House and say, 'You're the guys who can stop this, so look at it properly.'"
Mr Barratt said Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio and Premier Daniel Andrews, who declined invitations to meet with farmers, were feeling some pressure.
"I think there are cracks starting to form," he said.
"We just have to keep putting the heat on them."
Government stands firm
Earlier this year Ms D'Ambrosio issues ministerial orders allowing the project to be fast-tracked.
In a statement today, she said new transmission infrastructure was "vital for securing affordable and reliable renewable energy".
Ms D'Ambrosio said the government would consider the Victoria Energy Policy Centre's report arguing the project should be scrapped in favour of upgrading existing transmission infrastructure.
"But rigorous analysis by AEMO shows that VNI West provides value to Victorian energy consumers, helping to keep the lights on across the state as our ageing coal-fired generators close," she said.