Farm body tell AEMO: six weeks not enough

VICTORIAN Farmers Federation on Friday officially called for an extension to the consultation period for the proposed VNI West transmission project.

The state’s peak agriculture organisation said farmers across North Central Victoria had been given no time to have their say.

President Emma Germano has written to CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Daniel Westermann calling for the sixweek consultation period to be extended.

“Farming communities have been blindsided by the decision to change the route of the VNI West project,” she said.

“What was previously known as the KerangLink is now going nowhere near Kerang.

Link project, is being replicated again with the VNI West Project.”

Ms Germano said farmers were not being given basic information about how the transmission project would impact farming operations, giving farmers little to no chance to provide feedback.

“Farmers want very simple questions answered. How will these transmission lines impact farming operations? How will they impact irrigation districts?

“How can anyone expect genuine consultation to happen if farmers are denied basic information?” see a high-capacity overhead line connecting the Western Renewables Link at Ballarat with a new terminal station at Dinawan, near Jerilderie.

Ms Germano said the Victorian Government must step in and provide information to farming communities.

The original preferred route would have seen the project follow the existing powerline easement from Bendigo, through Prairie to Kerang.

“This is a complete change of direction for this multi-billion dollar project,” Ms Broad said.

“There is no detail and only a few short weeks for consultation.”

“In the dead of the night, AEMO and the Victorian Government have changed the project and have given farmers no time to respond.”

The VFF call comes after Loddon farmers met at Woosang within days of the new preferred route announcement that has “identified land of interest” but no definite route.

Farmers at that meeting called for more detail on the project.

Ms Germano said: “It is bitterly disappointing to see the lack of respect that was shown to farmers in the Western Renewables

“The Victorian Government is not off the hook here. Minister D’Ambrossio has declared the Government’s hand by taking action to effectively alter the route and accelerate the project,” she said.

“It is not good enough for the government to pass the buck onto AEMO.

“The Government has a clear responsibility to ensure that farming communities are listened to and that the impacts on farm operations are well understood before a single powerline gets installed,” Ms Germano said.

Pet registration time

Cat and dog registration time has rolled around again, and renewal notices will be arriving in pet owners’ mail boxes in the coming weeks. If a cat or dog isn’t micro-chipped and registered they cannot be identi ed and reunited with their owner. In the best interests of your pet, your family and the community, please ensure your registration renewal is paid by the due date. Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered. Owners of dogs and cats being registered for the rst time with Council are required to provide evidence that they have a microchip. If you have an unregistered pet in your care, please take this opportunity to contact Council and rectify the situation as soon as possible, without fear of penalty. Further information, contact Council’s Local Laws team on 5494 1200.