Two weeks ago, Tana and Charlie Webb were informed their property west of Lockhart could be included in the route for the 900km 'EnergyConnect' power transmission running from South Australia to Wagga.

The couple's 2830-hectare property is used for mixed farming, and is also home to wetlands and floodplains where wildlife, including the globally endangered Australasian bittern, breed.

The 80-metre powerlines would pass directly over the wetlands and lake under the proposed buffer-zone, leaving the couple concerned about the impact on wildlife.

The Webbs voiced their worries at a meeting with TransGrid employees.

"Unfortunately their behaviour in that meeting was disgraceful," Mr Webb told The Daily Advertiser. "We eventually put in a complaint about bullying behaviour."

Mr Webb said one of the representatives advised them not to fight the development, saying "The Castle isn't real life".

Mrs Webb said she was told not to "be like the Victorian women who fought a highway through their property and got the highway and lost everything".

"It was very intimidating at the time and we were both very emotional about it afterwards," she said.

"We couldn't sleep all weekend," Mr Webb said. "Eventually we thought, we have to do something about it because we can't let this behaviour be put on other people."

TransGrid confirmed a complaint had been raised by landowners west of Lockhart.

"We have apologised to the landowner and taken steps to address the specific concerns raised," a spokesperson said.

"We remain completely committed to working with landholders and the community and value all feedback."

Wildlife ecologist Matt Herring, who advises on energy projects, said the Webb family's concerns were entirely valid.

Mr Herring is familiar with the land, which is extremely popular with birdwatchers, and said the powerlines would pose a risk to birds flying past.

"It's asking for trouble," he said. "[The lines] could cause significant damage and that's why I'm so concerned."

Mr Herring said options like marking the powerlines with visible paint could minimise the risk, but avoiding the areas altogether was the best option.

"Wildlife is so concentrated near wetlands, putting them near wetlands at all is just bad planning and bad management. On a population level this could basically become a bit of a death trap.

"I'm not opposed to powerlines, we just need to get them in the right place."

A TransGrid spokesperson said the route is the subject of ongoing consultation with landholders and the community and an environmental impact report will be prepared and submitted during the application process.

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