UNKNOWN UNFAIR

By CHRIS EARL

FARMERS are pushing for detail on new plans for an electrical transmission line through northern Loddon districts.

More than 20 primary producers met at Woosang last Friday for a briefing by Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit.

They are wanting Australian Energy Market Operator to give more details on its VNI West (Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West) project preferred Option 5 released a fortnight ago before consultation ends early April.

Farmers are also critical of the State Government’s compensation offer of $8000 a kilometre for only the first 25 years of the 40-year project.

“Without indexation, you won’t be able to buy two pots and a pie in 25 years’ time,” Andrew Lockhart told the briefing.

Mr Nesbit said: “There’s potentially major infrastructure running through this valley in the next four years.

“The change of preferred route brings the project right through this valley and there are no details on the properties it will be on.

“The biggest problem (with the project) is having consultation without the details,” he said. “It’s hard to make comment without the details.”

Mr Nesbit said earlier preferred routes would have sent transmission lines through potato-growing country where farmers had been campaigning to put lines underground.

The earlier route would have linked with the interconnector running from Bendigo to Kerang through Prairie.

Murray Group of Councils, that includes Loddon Shire, had a briefing on the new route last Thursday where shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said councils were told of pop-up sessions starting at the weekend.

“At the same meeting council requested additional consultation and advertising along with a longer consultation period,” Mr Fitzgerald said Mayor Dan Straub said council would formalise its position on Option 5 by the end of March.

MORE REPORTS - PAGE 9

Machinery,

AEMO talks pop up at short notice

A LITTLE-PROMOTED community pop-up session was to be held this morning in Boort by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

The Boort session to “stop by to speak to the team and learn more about the project” was listed on the AEMO website.

It was one of 10 over a fortnight between Echuca and Waubra. The first was at Stawell on Sunday.

However, no sessions have been listed for Wedderburn and Pyramid Hill although one is planned for Charlton.

AEMO says: “AVP and Transgrid are committed to engaging openly with communities through this additional consultation process to build trust and ultimately, social licence for electricity transmission.

“A series of webinars, briefings and community drop-in sessions prior to submissions closing to raise awareness of, and support understanding of the additional work being undertaken to assess potential connection opportunities between VNI West and WRL.

“These sessions are designed to consult further with stakeholders, Traditional Owners and communities, giving AVP and Transgrid an opportunity to listen to a broad range of views and gather valuable information before a final decision on the preferred option is made.”

The latest project report identifies land of interest through Loddon although a firm route has not been published. Consultation ends on April 5.

CLEARING SALE - POWLETT PLAINS

Friday 10th March 2023 - 10am Sharp!

Collectables & Antiques - Onsite: 1823 WEDDEBURN- SERPENTINE RD, POWLETT PLAINS

MACHINERY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT including “Volvo” F7 Twin Steer bogie drive truck with 24’ tray with under body hoist, “John Deer” 7520 Tractor 2793 hours, “New Holland” TR88 header with 25 ft front 1744 hours, “Vennings” Grouper bin.

FIELD BINS & AUGERS including 28T “Sherwell” field bin with Auger, “Sher- well” field bin with Auger (320 bag) PTO drive.

ANTIQUE MACHINERY including “Furphys” farm water cart, 1937 “Sunshine” AL Harvester, “Avery” scales,Blacksmith Bellow and 1935 timber wool table, PHOTOS: www.fpnevins.com.au

10 message that disturbed OTF slumber and made him restless for the rest of the night.

HE’S going for gold! Bradley of Boort has been sufficiently inspired to dig deep for inspiration in coming up with this week’s Treemendous Sign. Bradley says the weekend’s gold detector jamboree was a good link to current pithy puns.

SHOULD our local sporting warriors boost their luck when going for gold? Sweden’s Carolina Kluft, who won the heptathlon at Athens Olympics in 2004, also believes that sport is about enjoying yourself. She carries a stuffed toy everywhere she goes, just so that she is reminded of that fact.

T

HE quest for gold was certainly at fever pitch and high on the serious scale for lawn bowlers when finals were played on Monday - Calivil and Inglewood teams were lined up for the big “games” opening ceremony in scenes reminiscent of an AFL grand final at the MCG. But they stood and waited, and waited ... for the audio to finally click in and blast out a stirring rendition of the National Anthem to signal the commencement of combat.

NOW Stinga from up Calivil way has been a bit shy in telling us The Oracle (he who just remembers the last time St Kilda saw MCG glory on grand final day - when God Save the Queen was still the National Anthem) ventured north on Sunday and won the chocolates. Never fear, The Oracle tells us: “The annual grudge match at Calivil Arena had Stringa and crew simply outclassed. No need for a steward’s inquiry as the results are pretty clear with The Oracle and his partner knocking off your northern correspondent 13-8. The old northern correspondent’s typewriter must have ran out of ink if you have not received a report on your desk by now,” The Oracle gloated in a late night text

UGO Frigero is said to be one of the pioneers of the fun and enjoyment element in sport. A 10,000-metre walker, he would insist on the band at the Olympic Stadium playing music when he entered. The Italian waved his arms to help the musicians keep the right tempo and once even stopped during the race to yell instructions to the band. Is it any wonder then that he won gold medals in 1920 and 1924.

WE HAVE reported in OTF that some local players prepare for a big game with a big juicy T-bone. But what happens afterwards? According to reports received in recent days, tennis teams and juniors have pizza at No 1 spot on celebratory feasts ... and this beggars the big question of whether the famous mini-pizzas will appear at local cricket finals on Saturday. If they do, you can bet they’ll be smothered in sauce and have the kick for bowlers to give batsmen the flick.

Shop fronts to town history

THE first batch of blue plaques telling the history of Pyramid Hill buildings have been installed by the town’s historical society.

Assistant secretary Michael Gregory said the first of 32 plaques was placed at 5 Kelly Street, the building now used as the town’s op-shop. Plaques have also been added to the facades of the chemist and butcher’s shops as part of the project funded by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

“We are progressively installing the 32 plaques and will complete the project by erecting a location map indicating the historic sites around the town,” Michael said.

Impounded cats given new homes

TEN cats impounded by Loddon Shire have been found new homes.

A report to councillors at the February meeting last week said only one cat impounded in the December quarter was destroyed.

They were told 10 cat traps were also issued to residents during the quarter.

Two dogs were impounded with one returned to its owner while one was found a new home.

Staff also responded to 10 reports of wandering or trespassing livestock.