Electricity transmission company land access statement of expectations

Overview

In 2022, we developed a statement of expectations in relation to how transmission companies access land. The statement of expectations took effect on 1 June 2022 and remained in place until 29 February 2024. On 1 March 2024, the Land Access Code of Practice came into effect. Transmission companies are now required to comply with the Land Access Code of Practice and provide monthly performance reports in accordance with the Land Access Code of Practice.

Landowners, parties with interest in land, and electricity transmission companies are critical partners in the delivery of major energy projects and the provision of essential services. This statement of expectations sought to achieve a balance between the statutory right to access private lands and the rights of those affected by that exercise of that power.

This statement of expectations did not relate to decisions regarding the route of transmission projects or the decisions about whether to proceed with these projects.

Land access can be done through a voluntary agreement between a transmission company and a landowner. If a voluntary arrangement cannot be reached, transmission companies have powers under section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 to access land compulsorily.

The statement comprises of a set of principles outlining how electricity transmission companies were expected to exercise their powers according to section 93 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 to access land until the Land Access Code of Practice came into effect.

Consultation 

We released the draft statement of expectations for public consultation on 24 March 2022.

Consultation originally ran from 24 March to 12 April. Following stakeholder feedback, we extended the consultation period to 19 April. During this period, we held two events: a public webinar on 4 April and an industry forum on 5 April. Together, these events had over 50 attendees.

We received 32 submissions to the draft statement of expectations. Of these, six submitters requested confidentiality (AusNet provided a public and confidential submission and is not counted as part of our confidential submissions).

We have published all non-confidential submissions in the resources tab of this page, as part of our publishing process for the final statement of expectations. If you made a confidential submission, but would like to make your submission public, please email energyreform@esc.vic.gov.au.