Ministers avoid glare

AGRICULTURE Minister Gayle

Tierney has been accused of an “under the radar” Loddon visit to avoid meeting local farmers protesting State Government plans for a 500 kiloVolt transmission line through the shire.

Ms Tierney, whose Upper House seat includes half the Loddon Shire, used social media to announce a visit she made to Calivil last week.

Her visit came in the same week Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing made a last-minute withdrawal from a scheduled stop in Boort.

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub said it was disappointing ministers were not engaging local communities on issues of concern.

Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit on Monday was one of just three delegates to the VFF annual conference in Melbourne to put a question to Ms Tierney after her opening address.

“I’ve invited her to come and meet us to address the VNI West issue and tell us what this renewable energy transition will look like for regional Victoria,”

The VFF has been critical of Ms Tierney for her lack of engagement with the agricultural community on VNI West plans.

Cr Straub said last Wednesday’s visit by Ms Shing had been cancelled the previous day.

“There are many issues in the Loddon Shire - VNI West, roads, future of water, child care. We need ministers and the Premier himself to come, talk and listen,” Cr Straub said,

Ms Tierney also declined the Loddon Herald invitation to speak at the Your Energy Future forum in Wedderburn in May.

When asked this week if they would meet Loddon landowners to discuss VNI West, both ministers replied: “Over recent weeks, the CEO and representatives of VicGrid have attended community sessions and met with landowners in relation to VNI West. Transmission planning and infrastructure matters should be directed to the Minister for Energy and Resources.”

In identical responses, they said: “We’re boosting local production across northern Victoria, backing more employment opportunities and skills growth.”

However, Ms Shing said: “I look forward to a future visit, as I continue to meet with communities, businesses and locals across rural and regional Victoria.”

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh