Conversations at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days

The VNI West team joined community at this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days in Longerenong, near Horsham – one of the region’s largest agricultural events.

While the opening day was delayed due to heavy rain, the team was pleased to be back on site once conditions improved. Across the two days we had more than 100 conversations with community members who stopped by the VNI West stand to ask questions, share their views and learn more about the project.

People brought a range of perspectives, and conversations throughout the event remained respectful and constructive. Some of our engagement team members even got to share their personal experience of farming alongside transmission lines and wind generation infrastructure.

A common theme was the need for clear, practical information. Many visitors were interested in how transmission infrastructure can work alongside farming operations and what it could mean for land use across the region.

The stand also provided an opportunity to discuss the broader energy planning underway across Victoria. Members of the VicGrid Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) team were available to answer questions and explain how projects like VNI West form part of the wider transmission network being developed to support future energy supply across Victoria.

Several visitors asked about existing infrastructure in the region, including the existing 220kV transmission line between Horsham and Mildura, and how it may be upgraded over time. These conversations highlighted the strong local interest in how the network is evolving and what it means for regional communities.

Events like the Wimmera Field Days remain an important way to share information, hear community perspectives and continue building understanding as the project progresses.

You can find more information about the project, including our fact sheet on Farming with Transmission at: www.vniwproject.com.au/fact-sheets-policies

Bringing VNI West to life, virtually

Decades have passed since transmission the scale of VNI West has been built in Victoria, and we understand that it can be tricky to picture what the project might look like once built and energised. To support a wider understanding of VNI West’s proposed infrastructure, we’re offering visualisation demonstrations to landholders, neighbours and community members.

Using an iPad, satellite receiver and Starlink device on a tripod, our team can bring the tool to you and set it up from your chosen vantage point. Once calibrated, you can view a location-specific impression of what the proposed VNI West infrastructure could look like, from places that matter to you.

The visualisation tool can show:

• The scale and height of transmission towers and lines
• Approximate easement location (still subject to State and Commonwealth approvals)
• Views from different points on your property or nearby area
• A 3D fly-over of the surrounding landscape
• Farming equipment renders for scale, and possible mitigation measures, such as vegetation screening

The visualisation tool is designed to help people better understand how the project may look in the local landscape and how it could relate to farming operations, homes and businesses. Visualisations are for illustrative purposes only. Infrastructure locations and designs remain subject to ongoing assessment, refinement and approvals.

To learn more about VNI West visualisations, please visit https://vniwproject.com.au/landholders-community/c...

Community Reference Group February meeting

The VNI West Community Reference Group met in Charlton on Tuesday 17 February for its first meeting of 2026 – and fourteenth meeting overall – with discussion focused on some of the key issues currently shaping the project.

Members heard updates on VicGrid’s new role in delivering VNI West, changes to make Land Easement and Access Packages easier to navigate, and the importance of property access agreements to support Environment Effects Statement (EES) surveys. The group also discussed support available to landholders throughout the LEAP process, including reimbursement of reasonable legal costs for independent advice.

Looking ahead, members helped shape future meeting topics, including Iberdrola’s role as development partner, community benefits and impacts, and the next stages of the Victorian Transmission Plan and Environment Effects Statement consultation.

The Community Reference Group continues to play an important role in bringing local views and insights into the project.

Applications are open for new members. To find out more, or to apply, visit: https://vniwproject.com.au/landholders-community/c...

Geotechnical investigations underway for 2026

Field surveys commenced across the VNI West project area on 18 January, with geotechnical investigations expected to resume in April on private land.

Geotechnical investigations on public land across the project area were largely completed in mid-2024. As the project progresses, future geotechnical investigations will help us to understand the subsurface conditions on private land, where project infrastructure - such as transmission towers - might be located. This information will help inform project planning and design and support the Environment Effects Statement for VNI West.

Geotechnical investigations involve drilling narrow boreholes to sample conditions below ground. Each borehole is around 150mm wide and up to 35m deep, with boring works expected across 2-3 days (dependent on property conditions).

For works on private properties, landholders are notified in line with their access agreements, and neighbouring properties are advised ahead of works. Once drilling is complete, each borehole is remediated and sealed in line with industry guidelines and landholder input. ‘Come clean go clean’ standards for vehicles and equipment are also maintained.

Learn more at VNI_West_Fact_Sheet_Geotechnical_Investigations.pdf