Western Victoria Transmission Network Project Transmission Line Setback Policy
It is important that State Planning Policies emphasise the key role of planning in the establishment of energy infrastructure and the need to provide policies that allow for creative and innovative responses to energy demand and supply, while addressing potential impacts on communities and the environment.
With respect to large-scale electricity transmission, lack of planning policies, stakeholder and community engagement will result in material project delays or risk the project not proceeding at all, the results of which will impact the Victorian economy, renewable energy infrastructure investment and energy consumers.
Moorabool Shire Council adopts High-Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy
On 22 December 2021, Council voted unanimously to adopt a High-Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy, to address concerns around the proposed transmission lines. According to the announcement, with existing and prospective renewable energy infrastructure projects in mind, it is a necessity for Council to adopt a policy position on transmission infrastructure.
In response to current and proposed energy infrastructure projects, the policy stipulates a minimum setback distance of 200m from residences for transmission lines that are 220 kV or greater.
In a statement, Moorabool Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan said while Council does not dispute the importance of significant renewable energy infrastructure projects and is supportive of the transition to renewable energy, it is essential that this is delivered through sustainable outcomes where the long-term impacts to our community and the natural environment are not unreasonably compromised.
“The policy seeks to implement the most recent transmission line setback recommendation handed down in the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s 2020 Annual Report, which recommends a minimum setback of 200m from residences for powerlines that are 220 kV or greater (see recommendation 5.2.9.5),” Cr Sullivan said.
Most Recent High-Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy Guidelines
In July 2021, Energy Grid Alliance published the most recent High-Voltage Transmission Line Setback Policy Guidelines. The purpose of this report was to provide framework and planning guidelines for the establishment of new large-scale energy transmission projects.
The development of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP), Victoria's 6 Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and associated renewable energy projects throughout regional Victoria means new transmission lines are needed to connect generation facilities to the existing network. It is important that the planning, design, consultation and construction phases for these transmission lines recognise the environmental, socioeconomic and community impact of introducing new infrastructure into regional landscapes.
Energy Grid Alliance sees this as an opportunity to establish best planning practices to ensure new transmission line projects are subject to strict setback requirements via the planning permit assessment process, which will in turn deliver planning outcomes that better respond to environment and landscape contexts and community needs.
Commencing April 2021, a draft discussion paper was prepared for the purpose of community and stakeholder feedback. This paper was informed by internationally guided best practices and through extensive consultation with the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, Andrew Dyer.
Feedback on the discussion paper was sought (before midnight Wednesday, 30 June 2021) from community and industry stakeholders on recommended setbacks identified in the Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Energy Transmission Discussion Paper. The discussion paper benefited from 26 submissions from a variety of key stakeholders and community members between May 2021 and July 2021.
In July 2021, the final directions paper was released.
The directions paper was submitted to the The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and The Hon. Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning. It was also more broadly circulated to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), AusNet Services (AusNet), the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for consideration during network planning and incorporating into Victorian Legislation.
AusNet, the proponent for the WVTNP has been referencing these guidelines to implement a 300m setback ‘where possible’. It’s important to note, this is not a minimum setback policy position, unlike Council’s policy. AusNet’s proposed route overview states that along the length of the 190km proposed route, a separation of 300m or more is provided for houses where possible.
What does the Moorabool Shire Council Policy Mean?
Energy Grid Alliance recognise the importance of Council’s work to adopt a Setback Policy for new large-scale overhead transmission. While the policy endorses a blanket setback of 200m from dwellings and nominal setback from road reserves, Energy Grid Alliance note:
- The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s 2020 Annual Report, referenced by the Moorabool Shire Council, is actually the Office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner Annual Report and was produced before the Commissioners role was expanded to include large-scale transmission in March 2021
- Recommendation 5.2.9.5 (on page 50) of this report, that formed the foundation of Council's setback policy, was developed specifically for private power lines that connect wind or solar farms to the grid. It was never intended that recommendation to be applied to 500kV transmission lines and infrastructure.
- There does not appear to have been a formal consultation process with community or other external stakeholders
- The policy does not address setbacks under a range of different scenarios as detailed in the Energy Grid Alliance Directions Paper and indicated below
- The policy does not address impact on environment and landscape values
- The policy does not consider amenity responsibilities, a key consideration of planning
- The policy does not consider bushfire and fire-fighting risks or asset protection
- The policy does not consider Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) and internationally guided prudent avoidance principles
- The policy does not address setbacks from township settlement boundaries to preserve amenity of established residential areas, protect amenity of significant landscape and provide flexibility for future growth of the township
- The policy does not consider setbacks from parks, reserves, conservation zones or public open spaces to preserve amenity and reduce the impact on biodiversity
- The policy does not consider setbacks from wedge-tailed eagle nests and territories or other sensitive flora and fauna.
Victoria is on the brink of a massive energy market transformation with the construction of new wind and solar power, coupled with thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines. The need for an effective and efficient transmission network to transfer energy generated in renewable energy zones to the State power grid is recognised but it is fundamental the impacts on the environment, community and economy be considered during the planning process.
The State Planning Policy Framework seeks to ensure that the objectives of planning in Victoria (as set out in Section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987) are fostered through appropriate land use and development planning policies and practices which integrate relevant environmental, social and economic factors in the interests of net community benefit and sustainable development.
Irrespective of policy adopted by the Moorabool Shire Council, Energy Grid Alliance will continue to work the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, the Planning Minister, DEWLP and AusNet to deliver legislated planning outcomes that better respond to environment and landscape contexts and community needs.