Hundreds of Victorian farmers are uniting in a last-ditch effort to stop the construction of a 190-kilometre power line that would cut across large sections of farmland in the state’s west.
The proposed Western Renewables Link, developed by AusNet, is designed to deliver renewable energy from wind and solar farms to the state’s power grid — part of Victoria’s transition away from coal-fired energy. But landholders say the project threatens their livelihoods, devalues their land, and risks long-term environmental impacts.
For years, locals have resisted the plan, refusing company access to their properties for survey work. “Farmers are tough, and when they feel their land is threatened, they don’t back down,” one community member told A Current Affair.
In response, AusNet issued a statement acknowledging the anxiety the project has caused and pledged support for landholders. The company said it has increased compensation, offering payments ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars depending on easement size and disruption.
A community benefit program worth $15 million has also been launched during the project’s development phase. Still, many rural families remain determined to block the plan, saying no financial package can replace generations of farming heritage.
