Disgruntled landowners remain despite agreement on North West Transmission Development compensation

The state government says it has reached a payment deal with landholders set to be affected by the North West Transmission Development (NWTD), despite some impacted property owners still voicing displeasure over hosting powerlines.

Eligible landowners will be paid $200,000 per kilometre of transition line as part of stage one of the NWTD, which is seen as an integral part of Project Marinus.

They will receive annual payments indexed to the Hobart CPI, in addition to the existing compensation available to eligible landowners under the Land Acquisition Act 1993.

The agreement also stipulates a minimum payment, ensuring that landowners who host shorter sections of the NWTD are guaranteed compensation.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said working with landowners was an essential part of the project.

“This is about supporting our farmers, respecting our regions, and helping power Tasmania’s clean energy future,” Mr Rockliff said. 

“Project Marinus will be transformational - it will deliver lower power prices, create more than 2,000 jobs in Tasmania, generate huge economic stimulus and deliver intergenerational energy infrastructure.

“It is estimated that an additional $470 million will be added to the state’s bottom line each year on average, ensuring we can invest more in hospitals, schools, roads and keep power prices low.

“Today’s outcome is a result of great collaboration.”

Energy Minister Nick Duigan said landowners hosting the NWTD were helping make Project Marinus a reality.

“We thank TasNetworks and TasFarmers for working together to get this right,” Mr Duigan said.

“TasFarmers' input has made this scheme stronger.

“This scheme takes forward our commitment for a fair and contemporary compensation framework that recognises the impact of these projects on landowners, including the development of a Strategic Benefit Payment (STP).

“It shows what happens when you work together to deliver our plan to keep Tasmania moving forward.”

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said he was pleased his organisation was part of the process to ensure that landowners were fairly compensated for hosting powerlines.

“TasFarmers has long held the view that there needed to be the sharing of ‘strategic benefits’ from these significant transmission projects,” Mr Calman said.

“The impact of transmission on landowners’ operations must be acknowledged through these payments and through TasNetworks working closely with landowners on the alignment and placement of towers.

“TasFarmers recommends landowners now work with their TasNetworks assigned land agent to ensure they are aware of what is on offer and make a decision on completing an options agreement and property management plan that works for them, and where they have concerns, seek professional legal or financial advice.”

TasNetworks CEO Sean McGoldrick said the state needed safe, clean, reliable and affordable electricity, and that Project Marinus and the associated NWTD would, in large part, achieve that goal.

“We’re pleased to have achieved a fair and equitable outcome that duly acknowledges Tasmanian farmers for their contribution to our energy future,” Dr McGoldrick said.

“We recognise the importance of earning farmers’ trust and co-operation, just as we recognise the importance of upgrading our network to carry the cleaner and cheaper electricity of the future.

“I thank TasFarmers and landowners for being good partners on this journey – working hard to balance the needs of farmers with the needs of Tasmanian electricity customers and industries.”

But not all of the landowners set to be impacted by the NWTD are supportive of the project.

A group of them recently held a meeting at Stowport, where the consensus was reached that Project Marinus and the NWTD were not in Tasmania’s best interests and lacked the appropriate social licence.

Affected landholder Terrance Chandler said there had been poorly conducted environmental assessments on his property for the NWTD project, divisive public consultation methods and unethical tactics used to pressure property owners into signing agreements.

"At my place, they told my neighbour that I was happy with the route of the transmission lines and told them the same story,” Mr Chandler said.

“My neighbour turned up two days afterwards and said, 'Are you happy with the transmission lines?', and I was like, 'No, definitely not.'

“An instant, blatant attempt to turn neighbours against each other."

Mr Chandler said the STPs would end after 20 years, which he considered “really insulting,” as he claims landholders would be affected by the powerlines on their properties for many decades.

“We need to get together and try to save Tasmania from this very poorly thought-out project, because it is clearly not in our best interest."

Mr McGoldrick said TasNetworks would work with individual landowners against the NWTD and SBP to see if they could accommodate their desires and wishes.

“We will move heaven and earth to try and get them across the line.”