28th August 2024

Page 1

Weather

WEDNESDAY min 12° max 15°

THURSDAY min 8° max 17°

FRIDAY min 13° max 17°

St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28th 2024.

$2.00

Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.

(Incl. GST)

Kara Kara candidates scarce on the ground Above: Young and not so young all joined in as farmers protest the VNI West Interconnector line. - PHOTO: J. O’Sullivan

Farmers protest in Bendigo against the VNI West project EVEN the young turned out on Friday to join others in their hundreds to protest a range of issues as Premier Jacinta Allan prepared to address the Rural Press Club of Victoria in Bendigo. It was a case of simmering tensions from regional communities over major Victorian infrastructure projects. It was in her speech to the Press Club of Victoria that Ms Allan covered a range of topics including healthcare and infrastructure, saying that her government is focused on providing services where regional communities need them. When asked about the issue of transmission lines highlighted by protesters, Ms Allan said the state needed the infrastructure to meet future energy needs. From the large gath-

ering in the car park ahead of the lunch, the protesters displayed a range of banners on the issue of transmission lines, as well as the treatment of farmers. "Jacinta Allan's in there and if she can hear us ... no one here is backing down," protest organiser Ben Duxson said. Although Ms Allan addressed the press club on issues important to regional and rural Victorians, farmers attending the protest said they were frustrated with the government and that politicians, only thinking of the short term, were making shortterm decisions.”

There are multiple transmission projects that have protesters concerned, and one is the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West) that would connect energy projects in New South Wales to the WRL in Victoria. Maths teacher Sharon McEvoy delivered a speech at the event and said she was protesting over the installation of lithium batteries and solar farms near her property around the Kiewa Valley in North-East Victoria. "It's about taking away our rights, like they took away our right to go through VCAT."

Premier addresses concerns When asked about the issue of transmission lines highlighted by protesters, Ms Allan said she respected their views but the state needed the infrastructure to meet future energy needs. • Cont. page 8.

CANDIDATES ready to stand in the upcoming Northern Grampians Shire Council and Buloke Shire postal elections have been urged to use the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC’s) newly refreshed Candidate Helper to get their applications ready for submission when nominations open on Monday 9th September. However, for the residents of Kara Kara Ward of the Northern Grampians Shire the deadline is making them nervous. Without any individual declaring their intention to stand time is running out. There are several unofficial nominations occurring in the other wards making elections on the cards, but Kara Kara cannot seem to even get the two that they are allocated. Mr Sven Bluemmel Electoral Commissioner said that mandatory online candidate training must be completed before nomination. “This rule applies to all candidates, including those who are

Ava is running for glory in the Cross Country National Championships AVA Macgowan, daughter of Jessica and Brad Macgowan and granddaughter of Colleen and Arnold Bond and Col and Jan Macgowan competed in the State Schools Australian Cross Country last week representing Victoria following a first place in the Victorian Championships. Ava came in third in a time of 12.05 minutes in the 11 year olds, 3 km course. She is off to Launceston this weekend to compete in the Australian National Cross Country.

Championships The 82nd Australian Cross Countr y Championships will span the weekend of Saturday 31st August to Sunday 1st September and Ava will compete in the U12 age group. More than 2,000 participants will celebrate endurance, resilience and community spirit, as Athletics Australia integrates both the Australian Masters and UniSport Australia’s Cross Country Championships into the main event for the first time.

Above: Gerald Feeny and Ben Duxson address the large crowd at Protest by farmers from across the State of Victoria. - PHOTO: J. O’Sullivan

Right: Ava Macgowan with her many medals from the State Schools Australian Cross Country competition. PHOTO: Supplied

currently or have previously been a councillor,” Mr Bluemmel said. The VEC’s online Candidate Helper at vec.vic.gov.au/councilcandidate allows candidates to pre-fill their nomination forms before submitting them at their nomination appointment. Candidates can also watch a series of videos on key topics such as the nomination process, including the rules and procedures that apply. More information is available online at

vec.vic.gov.au. The Candidate Handbook is also available on the VEC website. Prospective candidates are also encouraged to attend the candidate information sessions being held in each electorate before the opening of nominations. Prospective candidates must make an appointment to submit their nomination forms and pay the $250 fee in person during business hours. • Cont. page 3.


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