Farmer Craig McIntosh’s Support for VNI West Project
Farmer Craig McIntosh, who owns 4,000 hectares at Tragowel near Kerang in Victoria’s north, has been a strong advocate for the controversial VNI West project. This proposed 500-kilometre high voltage transmission line aims to connect renewable energy zones in Victoria and New South Wales, passing through farmland.
Mr McIntosh has not only supported the project but has also offered his property for the installation of the transmission lines. “Others didn’t want it, so me and a couple of other neighbours got together and said, ‘Why not bring it through our farms?’” he explained.
One of the reasons Mr McIntosh supports the project is due to his personal experience with an older transmission line that was built about 60 years ago, which brought power to a region that previously relied on generators. He believes that without progress, it could take another 60 years before such infrastructure is developed. “You can farm under it — I’ve never known anyone to crash into [a tower] or stop farming around them,” he added.
Survey access has been provided for approximately 40% of the preferred easement, with the owners of about 170 properties across the broader project area agreeing to have surveyors on their land.
Farmers’ Opposition to the Transmission Lines
Despite Mr McIntosh’s support, many farmers have expressed strong opposition to the transmission lines. Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Brett Hosking, whose property is within the proposed easement, highlighted the stress caused by the project and the lack of engagement from VicGrid.
“The almost removal of my rights to even have any input over what’s going to be placed on my land without consent. It’s horrific, and no government should be doing that,” Mr Hosking stated.
As a previous board member of Farmers for Climate Action, Mr Hosking clarified that his opposition is not against new electricity infrastructure in general. “Agriculture is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to reducing emissions, yet we seem to still be bearing the brunt of every other sector of the economy [that] needs to reduce their own emissions,” he said.
Diversifying Income Streams
By hosting 10km of transmission line, Mr McIntosh would receive more than $2 million in state government compensation over the next 25 years. This additional income would help diversify his revenue streams and make his property more resilient during droughts.
“Especially at the moment with rising fuel and fertiliser costs, I’m a big believer that we need different revenue streams to be profitable,” Mr McIntosh said.
This arrangement would also enable a proposed wind turbine facility on his property to proceed, generating extra income. “We’ve got a project going at the moment with wind turbines and we’re pushing that quite hard, so there’s a little bit of self-interest there, because we need the powerline to plug into the wind turbines anyway,” he added.
While Mr McIntosh expected backlash for speaking publicly in favor of VNI West, he remained unfazed. “I’ve always been up-front with what I’m doing and how I’m doing it,” he said.
Criticism of the Project
The Victoria Energy Policy Centre’s Professor Bruce Mountain has been advocating for an alternative plan for transmission in Victoria. He previously criticized the bill of the project, estimating it could cost up to $28 billion over the next decade and suggesting there are cheaper options to expand transmission capacity in Victoria.
“All of our research shows it undermines the energy transition — it’s needless, it imposes enormous cost on consumers,” Professor Mountain said. “It is a major policy failure.”
In 2023, Professor Mountain presented a “Plan B” involving using existing Victorian grid upgrades and a higher voltage.
Project Will Continue
VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker stated that while the goal is for voluntary access, the project will continue regardless. “Our strong preference is to work with landholders and agree voluntary access for the work required to plan the project,” Mr Parker said.
“We will continue to engage respectfully and seek voluntary agreement, but all Victorians are relying on us to deliver this project to keep the lights on.”
Notices of proposed entry have been issued to 26 properties where voluntary access for ecology surveys has not been agreed. If access is denied, authorised officers may issue warnings, directions or infringement notices for refusing, obstructing or unreasonably delaying entry, which may carry a fine of about $800.
If the matter is taken to court, a magistrate could issue a fine of up to $6,000. If voluntary access cannot be agreed and access continues to be blocked, VicGrid can also apply for a court order for access.
According to VicGrid, refusing access does not affect whether the project proceeds, but without access, there may be gaps in information where assumptions need to be made.
