Hundreds of opponents to the proposed Western Victorian Transmission Network Project took their fight to the steps of parliament on March 8, carrying sunflowers and calling for the mammoth plan to be refused.
The AusNet project, which will see 380 high-voltage towers stretched across farmland in Melbourne’s West, had drawn stern criticism from farmers and other landholders for its effect on agriculture, the potential for greater bushfire risk and the removal of native vegetation.
Stop Ausnet Towers chair Emma Muir estimated that more than 300 people attended the protest, along with 25 tractors and four horses.
The Ballan Country Women’s Association organised a lunch for all participants who travelled to the protest via bus.
“The key message is we’re here to send this back to the drawing board,” Ms Muir said.
“It was a really positive day, we handed out sunflowers and bottle brush trees. Most of the people there had never been to a protest in their lives.”
Australian actor and Gordon resident Stephen Curry spoke at the rally alongside Ms Muir, Western Victoria Region MP Beverley Macarthur, Ripon MP Louise Staley and Ballarat Potato Grows Association chairman Chris Stephens.
Ms Muir said she was hoping to have had the only opportunity to meet with a member of the state government but that did not eventuate.
Oliver Lees
