GRAIN GROWERS SEEK ANSWERS ON TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR

By Jessica Dempster

Grain Producers SA is calling for answers on land protection, farming impacts and compensation after ElectraNet selected a preferred corridor for its Northern Transmission Project.

Selected Corridor 5, between Bundey and Freeling, will be the focus of further investigations and planning, subject to completion of the project’s cost-benefit assessment.

GPSA chief executive Brad Perry says the announcement does not resolve growers’ concerns about how transmission infrastructure could affect their businesses.

“Farmers need clear information about operating large machinery, aerial spraying, precision agriculture technology and the restrictions that could apply within easements,” Mr Perry says.

GPSA has reiterated its call for the full economic impacts on agriculture to be assessed alongside the project’s anticipated electricity market benefits.

The organisation says it will not consider supporting a proposed route without improved compensation arrangements, including indexed annual payments and appropriate recognition of property and business impacts.