Victorian Farmer Offers Land for Clean Energy Transmission

Craig McIntosh knows something his neighbors haven't experienced: what it's like to farm around power lines for 60 years.

The Tragowel farmer owns 4,000 hectares near Kerang in Victoria's north. He's watched transmission towers stand tall since childhood, never interfering with harvests or machinery.

Now he's offering his land for VNI West, a 500-kilometer transmission project connecting renewable energy zones between Victoria and New South Wales. While many farmers oppose the lines crossing their properties, McIntosh actively invited them.

"Others didn't want it, so me and a couple of other neighbours got together and said, 'Why not bring it through our farms?'" he told ABC Ballarat.

His reasoning is simple. The region relied on generators until transmission lines arrived six decades ago. McIntosh doesn't want future generations asking why they waited another 60 years to upgrade.

About 40 percent of landowners along the proposed route have granted survey access, representing roughly 170 properties. McIntosh is among the most vocal supporters, despite expecting pushback from the farming community.

The Ripple Effect

The decision makes practical sense for McIntosh's operation. Hosting 10 kilometers of transmission line brings $2 million in state compensation over 25 years, helping diversify income during uncertain times.

"Especially at the moment with rising fuel and fertiliser costs, I'm a big believer that we need different revenue streams to be profitable," he said.

The transmission line also enables a wind turbine project on his property. That means two new income streams that work regardless of drought conditions.

McIntosh acknowledges some self-interest, since his wind turbines need the powerline to connect to the grid. But he sees it as practical farming for modern times.

Opposition remains fierce among other landowners. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking describes the stress as "horrific," criticizing what he calls poor engagement from VicGrid and loss of control over land decisions.

VicGrid says the project will continue regardless of individual opposition, with voluntary access strongly preferred. Without cooperation, the agency can seek court orders and levy fines up to $6,000 for obstructing surveys.

For McIntosh, the math is straightforward: farming under transmission lines works because he's done it his whole life, and Australia's energy transition needs infrastructure just like his grandparents' generation needed.