Good engagement needed to ensure good consultation

By Cr LINDA JUNGWIRTH

EARLIER this month, councillors received the consultation report for the Victoria–New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West.

The VNI West will ultimately be a great outcome as it will provide the infrastructure needed to carry renewable energy produced in Victoria including here in Loddon. This will provide a benefit to all of us and help us achieve a clean energy source.

My concerns lie in the consultation side of the project. I’m still uncertain exactly how the consultation will be offered. The report I received is called the VNI West Consultation Report – Options Assessment. There are seven options listed. Prior to receiving the report, I was unaware of all the options. After reading the report I know the options but not the details. The paper is large and a heavy read for anyone not familiar with the technology involved. The options are shown as a basic line travelling from place to place without a detailed path. I note written submissions are invited and can be emailed to VNIWestRITT@aemo.com.au and I encourage you to submit if you are concerned about a particular route.

AEMO and Transgrid will be holding webinars, briefings and community drop-in sessions I hope the sessions are well advertised and are informative. Please attend if you see a session near you.

The plans are important as we need this infrastructure to be able to transition to net zero emissions.

The infrastructure must go somewhere. Let’s work with AEMO and Transgrid to

For help with State Government issues please phone my office on 5461 1255

177 High Street, Maryborough VIC 3465

(03) 5461 1255 martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au marthahaylett.com.au MarthaHaylett4Ripon find a suitable route which doesn’t negatively impact homes, businesses and farming. I hope the consultation process is good but even good consultation will only be effective if people choose to engage. Please get involved if possible.

This program is designed to ensure a secure energy future.

Another issue of note recently has been discussion relating to our indigenous Australians. I believe this has come about due to a review of our current Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country Policy.

I was surprised when I discovered we had a policy regarding this. I thought acknowledgements were simply a courtesy people would want to show. I didn’t expect to need rules around the issue.

I strongly believe all people are people and therefore worthy of respect. Further, I believe minority groups often need the understanding and support of the majority to be able to achieve an equitable life.

In the case of First Nations People, not only are they a minority but there is a dark history which has caused them terrible harm. The statistics show that this is a generational problem with disadvantage being obvious in employment, health, life expectancy, imprisonment and more.

While an acknowledgement of country is a sign of respect, I also see it as way to say we understand, care and are working alongside you to see equity achieved.

Self-determination is an important part of this process. I think it is well and truly time we stop thinking we ought to be in charge of other people and work with them to see all Australians thrive.

*CrJungwirthistheLoddonShire’s TarnagullaWardcouncillor