General News
4 December, 2025
Farmers campaign gathers momentum
Hundreds of vehicles lined a small country road in Western Victoria on Wednesday as farmers and members of the community from across Victoria gathered to prevent compulsory access by VicGrid personnel to farmland owned by Ben Duxson in Wallaloo East.
During the past two weeks, the farmers' grassroots campaign in Victoria's west has gathered momentum with a commitment, they say, that will continue despite possible fines or arrests.
Mr Duxson's merino sheep property is in the direct line of the planned route of the VNI-West high-voltage transmission line through Victoria, linking it to NSW, and he, along with many along the planned route, is locking his gates to prevent access for project's environmental study.
Wednesday's protest was the largest gathering against compulsory access rights to farms in the region in the past two weeks since VicGrid began trying to enforce the new law.
Mr Duxson's continued support for farmers along the planned transmission line route was reciprocated on Wednesday, with many of them attending his property in a show of support; others came to support neighbours and friends and said they came to protect the food and fibre industry against the planned increased use of agricultural land for renewable projects and mining.
On their arrival, VicGrid personnel were met by the crowd at the gate. They asked Mr Duxson to identify himself as the owner, which he did.
Mr Duxson asked them to identify themselves, and while one of the VicGrid personnel complied, the other did not.
He told them their access was denied and was joined by the hundred of voices present, chanting "Access Denied".
"We are protesting calmly but solidly, and that's how we will continue," Mr Duxson said.
After a brief conversation, VicGrid's representative told Mr Duxson they would not be seeking access that day.
People attended for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they will be affected by the transmission line; others will be impacted by mining and wind farms, which all rely on power.
Robert Payne attended the protest, saying he will be impacted by a wind farm whose buffer zones prevent him from expanding and performing some of his regular farming activities.
He is a fourth-generation farmer, and his daughter Erica is currently intending to continue the family's generational farm.
He said he was most concerned about the compulsory access legislation that denied farmers their rights.
Leanne and Doug Page from Marnoo and Greg Joyce from Tatyoon said they were attending to support each other and their fellow farmers.
"We know that they will support us when our turn comes," Mr Joyce said.
A few steps across the road from the Duxson property is fifth-generation farmer Phil Reading's farm, which is also in the path of the proposed transmission line.
Son Cooper is the sixth generation to farm the property, and neither wants to see the transmission line impact their farm.
"The planned route includes three kilometres through our land, and I don't want it," Mr Reading said.
Mr Duxson said he had been overwhelmed by the growing support.
"As well as the hundreds who turned up on Wednesday, I have had more than 100 phone calls from people who could not attend, and our social media is off the charts," he said.
"I don't see how the government can penetrate this grassroots campaign. We have made it clear to them that this is not a viable project and will not be good for Victorians.
"We are not against progress, but we are the food and fibre industry, and the government and its partners have not recognised that," he said.
"They may have the government and millions of dollars behind them, but they do not have the passion that you do," he told the crowd.
Mr Duxson invited the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allen, the Victorian Energy Minister, Lily D'Ambrosio, the Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, and VicGrid CEO, Alistair Parker, to visit the area, talk to the property owners, and be willing to own their mistakes and plan a better way forward.
VicGrid announced in November that Spanish Company Iberdrola Australia had been selected as the development partner for the Victoria section of the VNI-West transmission line.
In July this year, the updated estimated cost of the Victoria and NSW sections on the project had increased from $3.6 billion to approximately $7.6 billion, with construction estimated for completion in late 2030.
VicGrid notified Mr Duxson that they would be attending his property on Wednesday in accordance with the Electricity Act, Section 93, and the Essential Services Commission's Access Code of Practice, which would require access to his property to carry out Ecological Studies for the Environmental Effects Studies for the VNI-West transmission line.
The letter was displayed on the gatepost at the property's entrance.
An estimated 250 people attended the protest gathering.
