The Minister for Planning will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) to consider and advise on the environmental effects of the proposed works for the Victorian component of the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West).
The IAC is an independent group of experts tasked with this assessment who will:
- Review the Environment Effects Statement (EES),
- Review draft Planning Scheme Amendment GC316 to the Gannawarra, Buloke, Loddon and Northern Grampians Planning Schemes (draft PSA),
- Review submissions received during public exhibition,
- Hold an inquiry by public hearing to hear from the Proponent and submitters who want to present to the IAC about the key environmental matters specified in the Terms of Reference,
- Hold an inquiry by written submissions to hear from the Proponent and submitters about the other environmental matters specified in the Terms of Reference, and
- Provide advice to the Minister about the environmental effects of the Project and the draft PSA.
Have your say - Make a submission
Residents can make a written submission on the Environment Effects Statement between Monday, 5 October 2026 and 11.59pm on Monday, 16 November 2026 by completing an online form on the Engage Victoria website.
-
You only need to make one submission to share all your views with the IAC.
-
Please refer to the IAC’s Terms of Reference for information about the scope of its role which is limited to the key environmental matters and other environmental matters.
-
If you need help lodging your submission or need to submit a hard copy, please contact Planning Panels Victoria on 136 186 (select option 6) or email office@planningpanels.vic.gov.au.
Speaking at the ICA Hearing
If you want to participate and speak at the IAC’s Hearing scheduled for the week commencing Monday, February 8, 2027, you must make a written submission and indicate on the submission form that you want to be heard. The IAC will consider your written submission when preparing its advice, in accordance with the scope of the IAC’s Terms of Reference, whether or not you choose to participate in the Hearing.
If you make a submission, you will be notified about the timing and location of the Hearing after the exhibition period has closed.
The IAC is required to examine the key environmental matters through a public hearing, with expert evidence only called on these matters. The other environmental matters will be considered through written submissions without the presentation of evidence or expert witnesses.
This means speaking at the IAC Hearing is only available for matters such as:
- Biodiversity and ecology,
- Aboriginal cultural heritage,
- Land use (as it pertains to agricultural and socioeconomic aspects), and
- The Environmental Management Framework (to the extent relevant to the management of matters of biodiversity, ecology and land use).
The purpose of the Hearing is to give people an opportunity to speak about the issues raised in their written submissions on the key environmental matters specified in the Terms of Reference. The Proponent (VicGrid VNI West) will also have the opportunity to speak and present expert evidence at the Hearing on the key environmental matters.