POWER TESTING ELECTRICITY LINK OPTION REPORT EXPECTED TODAY

NEW options for overhead power lines connecting Victoria and New South Wales are expected to be released today,

The Kerang Link through northern Loddon properties announced as the preferred option last August is expected to be one of seven route options

Australian Energy Market

Operator is due to release its regulatory investment test for transmission report - or feasibility study - for the original two options and an extra five routes following submissions last year.

The Loddon Herald understands AEMO will allow just six weeks for consultation on the report that has assessed each option and determined a preferred choice.

Prairie’s Donald McGauchie last August said that approvals were already in place for properties in the Loddon Shire to contribute three gigawatts to the interstate connector with the potential to at least double inputs if the project proceeded with a 2031 completion.

The preferred route announcement said VNI West would run a high capacity 500 kilovolt dou- ble-circuit overhead transmission line connecting Western Renewables Link at Ballarat with a new Project EnergyConnect terminal station at Dinawan, between Jerilderie and Coleambally

The State Government on Sunday said it was “accelerating a vital new connection between the Victorian and New South Wales electricity grids, helping to se-

Nestled on the fringe of the Inglewood township and right behind the local football ground sitting on 2.98 Hectares or 7.36 acres, this property offers a sound 2 bedroom weatherboard home, both bedrooms are spacious and light filled. The kitchen and dining area is modern and spacious with all electric oven and hotplates. With tile flooring throughout the Kitchen/ Dining area and carpet on all living and bedroom area’s this home presents in solid repair. Add to this the refurbished bungalow with Air conditioner, carpet and fresh paint, 2 bedrooms is now 3. New fencing, American barn shed 6m x 9m with power and cement flooring, Vegetable garden beds and self sufficient garden area, 2 dams fenced into smaller paddocks for the horse enthusiast or anyone wanting that little parcel of country lifestyle Price $525,000.00 cure reliable energy supplies and bring down energy prices.

“The Government has enabled the Australian Energy Market Operator to start early works on the VNI West project,” the Government said.

It said an order had be made to enable the market operator to immediately carry out preparatory and detailed engineering design this year.

HAD a reputation to maintain here at OTF. Completely overlooked that last week was Valentine’s Day when young lovers share gifts to their partners. Thank goodness for Bradley of Boort stepping up to remind everyone on time about the importance of love in life ... compared with the grand game of tennis.

THERE were some reports of love and probably none better than what we received about a can of XXXX beer in prominent display at one water hole (another of the OTF “exclusives” from a few weeks ago). “Absolute crack up ... there was a large group and Leon was reading the paper. He got to the bit about the XXXX can and promptly pointed to the likely regular patron coerced into shouting. You should have been here, as he read it out to everyone and in unison, they agreed and laughed,” our on-the-spot correspondent reported.

NOW friends of The Oracle are always sharing their love for him. And in Valentine’s week, in came a report, as usual from multiple sources, that his front gate had been adorned with colourful flags. The Oracle has denied all knowledge of any pieces of calico fluttering from his old set of Austral gates. Claims his own lads probably removed them.

SAID Oracle has been travelling far and wide to win at the genteel game of bowls. Even headed north to Calivil in the hope of bringing home the barbecue pack. Reports his ”mate” Stinga: “The Oracle informs me there may be biased media representation (or should I say wrong bias) of the state of play from certain players in the game of Sir Francis Drake marbles. Rest assured, that could not be possible. We’re yet to see him win a shot.”

STINGA also sent us this one - Question: What do you do with someone who can’t draw, can’t roll the jack, can’t set a mat, can’t keep score and won’t listen? Answer: Make them skip!

LITERARY creatives have even linked Franky Drake with Swiss legend Willy Tell. They reckon historical evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers (known as lawn bowling at the time). However, all league records were unfortunately lost to antiquity. Thus we’ll never know for whom the Tells bowled.

FINALLY this week, it’s been a while since we graced the column with a pun ... we love those so much but like to keep the good wife happy by not trotting them out too often. Found this one and it’s too good to omit. There was the person who sent ten different puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did. Gotta love it!

Popular camp reserve more than a name for Richard

THE temperature was about to hit 40 degrees last week when Richard Cain finished cleaning camp ground facilities at Laanecoorie.

Richard has been keeping the toilet block at Cain’s Reserve clean for decades and has a long connection with the popular camping area.

He ran the local store for 12 years where bookings were made until the store and its post office closed earlier this century.

Richard said the number of caravans and campers stopping in Laanecoorie in recent weeks was at levels normally seen over Easter.

Temporary closure of the Newbridge Recreation Reserve camping area since last October’s floods increased camping at Laanecoorie where Richard said there had been reports of good catches of yellow belly fish.

“Our town camping area named after ancestors - the family has been in the district for many generations - is ideal for people looking for a quiet spot,” he said.

Richard has lived in Laanecoorie all his life and before the store, home was the town’s former hotel. “I couldn’t live in the city,” he said heading home after completing cleaning duties.