Liam McNally
Federal and state politicians met with community stakeholders at Macpherson Park on Tuesday, October 24 to discuss concerns about how the construction of proposed 80 metre high 500kv transmission lines will affect the precinct.
The transmission lines form part of the Western Renewables Link (WRL), a proposed 190km electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west, and requires the acquisition of an easement corridor 100 metres wide along the path of the proposed transmission line.
The current proposed path goes directly over the main entrance of Macpherson Park, runs along the north side between it and the aerodrome and within 50 metres of junior soccer fields and netball fields, before moving south-east directly over the equestrian park.
Representatives from about 12 community organisations including sporting teams, the pony club, a Landcare group and the aerodrome attended the meeting to air their concerns about how the towers will potentially affect a broad range of different community activities in the area.
Barbara Ford initiated the meeting. Ms Ford is a Plumpton farmer whose land is at risk of being cut diagonally in half by the proposed transmission line. She said the transmission line needs to have planning set backs and guidelines put in place by the state government.
“We cannot trust a multinational company to plan for a better outcome for stakeholders to be impacted when they are planning for the shortest, cheapest and most profitable option for their company,” she said.
“I do not believe it is best transmission planning practice to locate overhead high voltage transmission that will impact community sporting and equine facilities, risk the safe operation of the airfield and build towers close to people’s homes and restrict the use of their properties.
“If transmission guidelines had been thought about by the governments years ago we wouldn’t have this problem.”
Federal Hawke MP Sam Rae had previously sought to have the project approval overturned at the Labor State Conference in June and at Tuesday’s meeting he reiterated his public opposition to the project and called for it to be scrapped and taken back to the drawing board.
Melton state MP Steve McGhie said the final path has not been determined or finalised.
“Whatever path is chosen this should not prevent the use of the facilities however the users have raised concerns that I will be taking back to the [Energy and Resources] Minister [Lily D’ambrioso],” he said.
“Once the final plan is determined, all parties within our community will be encouraged to make a submission to the Environment Effect Statement.”
Western Victorian MP Bev McArthur said Macpherson Park is an incredibly well-used, well cared for community asset.
“I spoke to so many who would feel threatened and discouraged by this completely inappropriate proposal,” she said.
“The Labor government was happy to rip-up the East-West link project, and to cancel the Commonwealth Games. There is a far better case to knock the WRL on the head, and the minister must do so immediately.”
