By Ewen McRae
Moorabool council will run a series of online sessions for locals concerned about the potential impacts of a proposed transmission line project across the region.
The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project proposes a high-voltage transmission line over nearly 200 kilometres through properties from Melbourne’s north-west to Bulgana.
Many residents and Moorabool council are calling for the transmission lines to be put underground.
The planning minister recently determined that the project operators, AusNet, had to prepare an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) before any further moves could be made on the project.
The council-organised sessions will involve speakers in an online forum to help residents be better informed on the complexities of the project.
The first session is scheduled for September 23, with Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning enior impact assessor Jack Krohn speaking about the complexities of the EES and what residents can expect from the process.
The second session on October 8 will deal with compulsory land acquisition and compensation.
Shaun Whittaker and Tony Rutherford from Mills Oakley Law Firm will provide guidance on strategy options for landowners when considering how to negotiate with AusNet as part of this process and will answer general queries from the community.
Community members are encouraged to submit questions in the lead up to the online sessions so that relevant themes can be addressed in each presentation. There will also be the opportunity for a live Q&A on the night.
Moorabool council recently launched its ‘Green and Unseen’ campaign to advocate for the project to go underground.
“The scale of this project is enormous, and the transmission lines will span the entire length of our shire,” mayor David Edwards said.
“The only sustainable, long-term solution – one that council and our community are advocating for – is to put these powerlines underground.
“Truly green would mean unseen.”
For more information and to sign up for the online sessions, visit: https://bit.ly/3bLrnIs
