The Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV):

• handles individual complaints about the way a transmission company uses legal powers to access private land or a transmission company’s compliance with the Land Access Code of Practice
• handles individual complaints about access under a private access agreement where the parties agreed for EWOV to do this, for example, by naming EWOV in the access agreement as the dispute resolution body.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA):

• designs the relevant state energy laws, regulations and policy
• plans and supports policy objectives, and promotes continued market reforms
• does not own or operate energy-generating assets.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV):

• ensures Victorian gas and electricity industries are safe and meet community expectations
• is responsible for major industry safety and safety management schemes for the design, construction and maintenance of electricity gas and pipeline networks across the state
• is responsible for tree clearance around powerlines and bushfire mitigation programs
• investigates electrical and gas incidents
• delivers community education.

The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC):

• helps community members address their concerns about energy infrastructure, including wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects
• identifies and promotes best practice related to the planning, development and operation of energy projects, including standards and compliance and community engagement.

VicGrid:

• coordinates and plans the development of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones
• plans and develops electricity transmission infrastructure in Victoria.

The Essential Services Commission (ESC):

• is responsible for regulating Victoria’s energy and water sectors (among others)
• developed and administers the Land Access Code of Practice and regulates industry compliance with key legislation and regulations, including the Electricity Industry Act 2000
• considers applications for electricity and gas licences in Victoria
• imposes obligations on Victorian electricity and gas businesses.

The Department of Transport and Planning administers the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978, which is an assessment of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development. Many infrastructure projects, including transmission projects, eventually undergo an EES process.

An EES usually includes:

• a description of the proposed development
• an outline of the public and stakeholder consultation undertaken during investigations and the issues raised
• a description of the existing environment that may be affected
• predictions of significant environmental effects of the proposal and relevant alternatives
• proposed measures to avoid, minimise or manage adverse environmental effects
• a proposed program for monitoring and managing environmental effects during project implementation.

For more information about the EES process can be found on the Department of Transport and Planning’s website: www.planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessments/environmental-assessment-guides/environment-effects-statements-in-victoria.