Nationals call for senate inquiry into VNI West overhead powerlines through Victorian farms

Tractors and trucks drive through the main streets of St Arnaud to protest against the proposed VNI West transmission line. (ABC Rural: Emile Pavlich)

The National Party is calling for a senate inquiry into the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West [VNI West] renewable energy project in western Victoria to ensure all "alternatives are explored" for rural communities affected by the transmission lines. 

Federal National Party politicians met with concerned farmers in Charlton on Monday, almost two weeks after more than 300 people drove tractors and utes through St Arnaud to protest the transmission lines.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has formally endorsed option five of the VNI West transmission line project, which would involve the construction of 500-kilovolt powerlines through farming land from Bulgana, near Ararat, to near Moama in New South Wales.

Mallee Nationals MP Anne Webster issued a joint statement with federal party leader David Littleproud on Monday calling for a Senate inquiry to ensure renewable projects in Victoria have adequate "social licence".

The consultation report outlines the reasons for each of the potential routes that the transmission lines could take. (Supplied: AEMO)

Dr Webster said consultation from AEMO had been "tokenistic at best".

"This project will be devastating for regional Victoria, farmers and their communities," she said.

The AEMO confirmed it has received more than 500 submissions during its consultation phase, which would need to be assessed within the next month for a final report.

The final report will be titled the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR).

A convoy of tractors protested against the proposal. (ABC Rural: Emile Pavlich)

"The PACR will identify a preferred network option with a broad area of interest for the project," AEMO said in a statement. 

"This could possibly span 10 to 50 kilometres in width, which will be refined to the final route based on further assessments and important stakeholder input, including direct engagement with landholders."

AEMO planned to make a presentation at the energy infrastructure consultation meeting in the St Arnaud on April 18, however the organisation did not attend, citing "altered plans" after hundreds of people protested.

St Arnuad residents attend a meeting at the local hall to learn about the project. (Supplied: Victoria Farmers Federation)

Protest organiser Jason Barrett said farmers had been left "high and dry" with no answers surrounding the $3.2 billion project.

"It would be a lemon going through our properties that we don't want or need," he said.

"They just think they can get away with rail-roading this through without any consultation and minimal questions."