O’Brien calls for delay to transmission tender

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, is urging the Premier to delay awarding a tender for VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission project until after the November state election.

In a media release today Mr O’Brien said landholders had raised concerns about VicGrid’s plans to appoint a development partner within weeks, while the project’s Environment Effects Statement process remains underway.

The proposed 2GW project would connect offshore wind generation to the existing electricity network through an overhead transmission line between Giffard and Loy Yang.

Mr O’Brien said key questions about the project’s costs and impacts on farms, homes and livelihoods remained unanswered, particularly as the offshore wind auction process is not expected to conclude until 2027.

The Nationals and Liberals have committed to reviewing Victoria’s Transmission Plan and repealing compulsory land access and acquisition powers introduced by the current government.

Mr O’Brien said the tender should be delayed to allow Gippslanders to have their say at the ballot box before further commitments are made.