Remote controller

A BENDIGO-BASED State Emergency Service employee has been made acting controller of the Wedderburn unit.

And one local volunteer fears the remote control command of the unit is a sign that SES heirarchy has become dominated by “pen pushers instead of practical people with the resources to solve problems”.

Former controller Reg Holt said volunteers had become bogged down chasing bureaucratic paper trails instead of being resourced to respond to emergencies.

Mr Holt said local members had been left disappointed when the SES regional office in Bendigo refused to re-appoint Paul GordonCooke as controller.

He said it was the latest setback for the unit with volunteers recently criticised by the heirarchy for using a front-end loader to remove a fallen tree and clear the highway in less than 30 minutes.

“The SES wanted us to follow protocols that involved using chainsaws. The Calder Highway would have closed for hours doing it that way,” he said.

“The front-end loader driver had all the industry qualifications to do the job and it was completed with safety of all people in mind.

“The situation needs to change so that the controller on the ground at an incident can access the equipment they need and get the job done.”

Mr Holt also claimed the Wedderburn unit had been left poorly resourced after restrictions were put on its main rescue vehicle.

“They have given us a truck that can seat five people and carry all our equipment,” he said. “Now we have had to have the truck weighed, told to remove some of the rescue equipment and a sticker placed on the door saying only two people can ride in the vehicle,” he said.

“They (SES) are dumbing us down and letting bureaucrats, academics and pen-pushers dictate to practical volunteers”.

Several members have spoken to the Loddon Herald saying they feared for the future of the unit.

A statement by SES yesterday morning confirmed Will Boyd, a VICSES volunteer and staff member, had been appointed controller at Wedderburn.

Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI West) Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T)

What is VNI West?

VNI West is a proposed new highcapacity electricity interconnector between Victoria and NSW that will support Australia’s transition to a net-zero emissions power system and economy. The new transmission infrastructure will unlock lower-cost, clean electricity from renewable energy zones in Victoria and better connect the energy grids across the East Coast. AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid, are jointly undertaking the regulatory assessment for the VNI West project.

AEMO Victorian Planning (VIC) www.aemo.com.au/vni-west

1800 824 221

VNIWestRITT@aemo.com.au

Transgrid (NSW) www.transgrid.com.au/vniw

1800 222 537

VNIW@transgrid.com.au

AEMO Victorian Planning (AVP) and Transgrid have jointly investigated potential alternate network options for VNI West, including its connection point to Western Renewables Link (WRL) in Victoria.

This analysis is outlined in our Consultation Report, which is now available online.

We welcome community and stakeholder feedback on the proposed preferred option presented in this report. The consultation period is open until Wednesday 5 April 2023.

Your insights will help shape the Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR), to be published in May 2023. Public information sessions

AVP and Transgrid will host information sessions over the coming weeks, providing time for stakeholders and community to ask questions that will assist with making informed submissions.

Use the QR Code or visit the websites above to:

• View the Consultation Report

• Register for webinars

• Get details of drop-in sessions near you (Victoria)

In Brief

Morning fire

A FIRE at Mount Moliagul last Friday morning is being investigated. Rheola brigade volunteers went to the fire just after 8am. It was the first of two call-outs for the day with volunteers also attending a fire at Bealiba assisting other district brigades and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews, Cafe’s new name

THE Boort cafe Audrey’s is taking on a new name and menu. Owner Mark Klose has temporarily renamed the cafe Troob for a March long weekend opening before a formal launch in early April as a restaurant serving lunch and dinner. The newlook restaurant will be a licensed venue.

Audit chair

ROD Baker was on Tuesday re-appointed chairman of Loddon Shire Council’s audit committee for a 12-month term. The extension of his appointment will take Mr Baker to the maximum fiveyear term.

Seeds for food

“We are working hard with the Wedderburn community to promote rewarding volunteer opportunities with VICSES,” he said.

“Our volunteers perform a diverse set of roles. We are actively working to welcome a broader range of people from the community into the unit.”

See next week’s Loddon Herald for the full SES statement.

LODDON Shire will be part of a Healthy Loddon Campaspe partnership with Grow It Local to encourage and educate residents across the region about healthy eating, cooking and growing local food announced this week by the Greater Bendigo and Central Goldfields Councils.