A damning new report highlights the absolute failure of the Australian Energy Market Operator and its shell Transmission Company Victoria to secure social licence for the VNI West project, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says.

Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer has released his independent Community Engagement Review, which shows 92 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the level of engagement from renewable energy project developers.

“This is no surprise to the farmers subjected to sham consultation from AEMO and TCV over the past 12 months,” Dr Webster said.

“Communities have been taken for a ride by AEMO/TCV since the Victorian Labor Government signed off on an order to railroad the VNI West project through prime agricultural land and pristine native bushland.

“This report shows this situation is echoed right around Australia when it comes to renewables projects spurred on by Labor/Greens agenda.”

The survey also found more than 90 per cent of people were not happy with the information provided or with their concerns being resolved.

“Landholders have met with AEMO/TCV and are frustrated, left with more questions than answers,” Dr Webster said.

“The Commissioner’s report is a shameful reflection of the disregard transmission line proponents have for Mallee farmers and their communities.”

Dr Webster agreed with National Farmers Federation President and Mallee farmer David Jochinke that the Commissioner’s report did little to alleviate any concerns with concrete solutions.

“Farmers and their communities still have no reassurance their concerns are being properly acknowledged,” she said.

“It is critical any project that compromises agricultural land, whether it be transmission lines, wind farms, solar farms or mining, achieves social licence with those forced to host it.

“I will fight for the rights of Mallee landowners against Labor using them as their dumping ground for bad policy. Energy developers must not be allowed to run roughshod over regional communities to meet unfeasible renewable energy targets.”

Dr Webster will address a “Reckless Renewables Rally” with farmers and their communities from all over the Eastern seaboard in Canberra on Tuesday February 6 when Federal Parliament resumes for 2024.