Temper s fray at VNI powerlines session

TEMPERS were at breaking point last weekend when Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) engaged by AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) to assess the options for the Victorian section of VNI West new high capacity 500kV overhead transmission line, held an Information Session at the Town Hall in St Arnaud

The ‘AEMO Say No to Option 5’ Group had arranged to have another area put aside for them to ask questions as a group, but only 50 of the more than 100 members of the group were allowed into McDonald Hall

They were told that the size must be kept to 50 as it was a ‘health and safety issue’, which was seriously disputed by members who stated that the cinema regularly has more than that in the room Tempers were frayed as the group did not want to be divided up

Earlier Bill Baldwin stated that the group will stand together

“We are a community and we are all standing together on this ”

It is unclear if the TCV staff were deliberately attempting to minimize any disruption that a full contingent could cause, however the Northern Grampians CEO Brent McAlister, on the phone to Barry Batters, directed the contingent to go back to the main town hall area

Further mediation occurred and a group of 70 were then allowed to enter the cinema area, for a personal session, and to ask questions

Farmers in this particular area were concerned that not sufficient input has been considered on whether solar is the best renewable

Farmers are also concerned that the detail of the disruption to farming practices as well as for fire fighting are not available

On Saturday Catie from the TCV Communication staff said that the exact pathway had not been decided upon

“We are waiting to get a full and detailed picture of where there are significant issues, either environmental or other before we can decide on the exact path ”

Catie further elaborated that the change from Option 5 to Option 5A had been bought about purely because consultation showed them that the Option 5 route would be too detrimental to the environment