West Victorian farmers fined for blocking access to VNI West line surveys

Twelve landowners in western Victoria received $814 infringement notices after refusing authorised officers entry for VNI West transmission line planning, and six more were issued warnings.

Authorities in Victoria issued infringement notices worth $814 each to twelve farmers who blocked authorised officers from entering their land for VNI West transmission line planning, while six additional property owners received formal warnings. The fines were imposed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change for hindering or delaying authorised activity without a reasonable excuse. Sheep stud farmer Trent Carter of Marnoo announced he will refuse payment and seek legal recourse, framing the case as a test for property rights nationwide.

VicGrid, the body overseeing the line’s design, said it has repeatedly tried to reach voluntary deals, offering early-benefit payments, on-site inductions and the option to choose survey specialists. Nevertheless, it maintains that the Electricity Industry Act 2000 grants transmission companies the right to access private land for planning and maintenance. Carter complained that previous access attempts coincided with sowing and harvest periods, and that requests during lambing season would disrupt animal welfare standards. The department has not commented further on the matter.