Opposition backs Federal Labor's concerns over Western Victoria Transmission Network Project route

Victoria's Opposition is aligning itself with a Federal Labor MP in proposing an alternative route for a contentious energy transmission infrastructure project in western Victoria.

The proposed Western Victoria Transmission Network Project will transport large amounts of renewable energy generated across the state's west to Melbourne.

Electricity distributor AusNet, which has the contract to deliver the project for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), released plans for the 190-kilometre transmission line corridor in June. 

But the current route — still subject to an environmental and planning approvals process — has generated fierce community opposition from farmers, landholders and food giant McCain, which has warned the project could affect 29 of its potato growers.

Victoria's Shadow Treasurer Louise Staley said the state needed to "unlock" renewable energy but it had to be done "in the right way".

"Part of the problem with this project as it's currently being proposed is AEMO drew lines on a map, there was a contract let, and then community and landholders were brought in," Ms Staley said.

"We think that's the wrong way."

Ms Staley said a Coalition government would reroute the project further south west of the starting point at the Bulgana terminal station.

"It will come down to Mortlake, where there's already a terminal station, and then it uses the easement from Mortlake through Lara into Melbourne," she said.

The pathway would be longer and about $400 million more expensive to build, according to the Opposition.

AusNet plan based on 'extensive consultation'

AusNet has previously told the ABC the new transmission lines were urgently needed and would create more than 300 construction jobs while providing economic benefits to communities along the route.

The project's website states the route was chosen "following consideration of community feedback" and "extensive community consultation and technical investigations".

But there's been vocal opposition from community groups.

In July, farmers threatened to block AusNet from accessing their land after the company revealed its preferred route was through the communities of Waubra, Tourello, Newlyn and Coimadai.

In that same month, members of the project's formal community consultation group resigned citing their frustration with the company's approach.

"There is a complete power imbalance on affected people on this line and AusNet," Ms Staley said.

"We understand that this is complex ... these are big infrastructure needs.

"But as we transition, we think there's a better way to do it than the way the government's doing it."

Coalition plan mirrors King's proposal

The Victorian Liberals' proposal comes weeks after Labor's Federal Ballarat MP Catherine King expressed her own opposition to the current plan in Parliament.

"It is increasingly clear to all of us that the northern corridor proposed to build the transmission lines and the transfer station at Mt Prospect is simply unviable," the MP said in Federal Parliament.

"A much better plan for this project should look at the corridor from Bulgana to Mortlake, Mortlake to Geelong and then Geelong through to Sydenham.

"In doing so, it should be using existing easements as the corridors.

"We should be looking to use the latest in technology, undergrounding where we can, battery storage along the way, ensuring that there is local community benefit — not just through community funds but through cheaper access to renewables in the corridors and proper ongoing renumeration for all affected landholders.

In a statement, an AEMO spokesman said all new transmission infrastructure projects governed by the National Electricity Rules which meant "only least cost and technically viable" projects went ahead.

"This protects Victorian consumers from paying more than necessary for their electricity," he said.

AusNet and the Victorian government have been contacted for comment.