Victoria suggests offering landowners $40,000 in compensation for towers.

Landowners in Victoria with properties near new transmission lines and towers could be eligible for payments of up to $40,000 (US$26,400) under a government proposal.

The government agency VicGrid is seeking consultation on the plan, which would specifically target “significantly impacted neighbors” of new transmission and renewable energy infrastructure.

According to the draft plan, payments could be made to neighbors who have experienced a “demonstrated significant loss of visual amenity” within 400 meters of infrastructure in regional areas and 200 meters in urban areas.

The infrastructure must be clearly visible from the point of the dwelling, home occupation, or other site of sensitive land use for neighbors to be eligible for payment, the document states.

The proposal also considers providing “exceptional circumstances” payments above the proposed threshold if towers affect culturally significant sites or result in income loss for hospitality and tourism businesses.

Several high-profile protests by Victorian farmers have been staged against the construction of towers along the route of the upcoming VNI West and Western Renewables link projects.

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The construction projects are aimed at enhancing energy stability across the east coast by allowing power generation in Victoria and NSW to be exchanged between states.

Part of the route will involve erecting transmission towers approximately 80 meters high to carry high-voltage power lines.

Landowners hosting transmission equipment on their property will receive $200,000 per square kilometer over a 25-year period.

Victorian Housing Minister Harriet Shing emphasized that the proposed neighbor payments acknowledge the impact on communities and were a result of extensive consultation.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ms. Shing stated, “This fund and this co-design with communities play a crucial role in developing, securing, and maintaining the social license necessary for this work to proceed.”

Opposition spokesman Brad Rowswell supported the idea of compensation and agreed that transmission lines are necessary, but questioned the delay in presenting the scheme.

“I understand the concerns of farmers overseeing productive farmland who deserve compensation from the government,” Mr. Rowswell said. “Where feasible, transmission lines should not have such a severe impact as proposed by the state government.”

Submissions for feedback on the plan are open until June 25.