For ten years, farmer Shaun Cleary saved to build a dream home on the property owned by his family since 1877. A building contract was signed in late 2020.

Then, on 29 July 2021, a neighbour informed Mr Cleary power lines could go through the property. At this point, the concrete slab for the house had been poured.

"It's been a lifelong dream to build a house here," Mr Cleary said. "We decided to raise our kids in the country, get away from the city. If it was just a farm, it would be horrible, but we're that far down the track with this house."

Mr Cleary was in disbelief when he learnt his property was possibly in jeopardy.

"They've just thrown us under the bus at the eleventh hour." Mr Cleary said. "I was heartbroken."

Mr Cleary was caught between a rock and a hard place, fearing the towers, but dedicated to the family estate. He is of the opinion his family might never live in the house.

"We actually asked AusNet should we stop the house," Mr Cleary said. "They said, 'We can't tell you to do that because we don't know where it's going'."

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For the Cleary family, their land carries significance.

"This was the original Cleary base," Mr Cleary explained. "Danika and I got married here, our piece of paradise. It's been a place I've grown up with; it's my identity. For my father too, this is what we were born to do."

In addition Mr Cleary is fearful of the ramifications on his young family if the lines go ahead.

"The biggest fear is the kids' safety," he said. "If these lines cut across over our house, or in very close vicinity, they've got a history of falling over (and) electrocution. They fall over, (there is a) bushfire risk. The electromagnetic fields is a concern. A lot of people have published they increase the chance of childhood leukaemia."

If the lines proceed, there will also be challenges with land use. Mr Cleary believes a one hundred-metre easement underneath the lines will be restrictive.

"We can't do other things in the future," Mr Cleary said. "You can't build any infrastructure on it. It's going to impact our future earnings."

The consequences on agriculture are similarly feared by Bruce Richardson, who has links to the region stretching back to 1853. Any terminal station will have a ripple effect, according to Mr Richardson.

"(It will) impact internet and GPS on tractors," he said. "You can't run businesses."

Mr Cleary is quick to point out many will be affected by the lines if they go ahead.

"This is not a broad acre farming area," he said. "It's intensive agriculture, semi-rural lifestyle. People live and work within close proximity. There are 460 people impacted."

In a meeting with AusNet representatives on 5 August, Mr Cleary felt frustration.

"I asked them, 'Would you put your children underneath these?'" he said. "They both looked at me and said, 'No, they wouldn't'. So why do I have to do this?"

Mr Richardson also harbours frustration with AusNet, although he indicated the company's employees had been "nice people".

"(There are) still (unanswered) questions from the community consultation day," Mr Richardson said.

My Richardson wishes for alternatives to be explored.

"My thing is it should be underground," he said.

AusNet Executive Project Director Stephanie McGregor responded to Mr Cleary's claims.

"Our team makes every attempt to contact all affected landholders," she said. "We've provided Mr Cleary with all the information available at this stage and we are working to better understand his situation."

Ms McGregor maintains AusNet has engaged in communication with landowners.

"We initially sent around 190 emails, 570 texts, and 600 letters, while our dedicated land liaison officers have been visiting properties," Ms McGregor said. "We've also advertised the corridor widely in local newspapers and online."

Ms McGregor is adamant AusNet will continue working closely with the community.

"Ongoing engagement is our priority," she said. "We are listening to the feedback and concerns."

Mr Richardson summarised the view of Mr Cleary and many others.

"Whether you've got a million-dollar house or a little hut, it's still your home," Mr Richardson said. "Whoever designs it, just looks at an aerial photo of the state of Victoria. "They don't see the emotional impact of what a line on a map does to the people under it or around it."

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