News
Page 24 The Moorabool News – 5 April, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Land access survey “encouraging” Facebook feedback
By Lachlan Ellis
News
Page 8 The Moorabool News – 15 March, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Rocky reception for nature strip guide By Lachlan Ellis
to transfer energy generated in renewable energy zones to the countries power grid is recognised, it is fundamental the impacts on environment and communities be considered as a key piece of the puzzle,” Mr Edwards told the Moorabool News. “So, it is encouraging to read the 24 March media release issued by the ESC, announcing the ESC is championing social licence for energy transmission upgrades. Victoria’s energy regulator is seeking input on principles that should apply when energy companies access land to undertake early works for transmission projects. “While open consultation and development of a Statement of Expectations is a great start in the right direction, I note Dr Hamill has said “following the statement of the expectations, the commission would develop an enforceable access code”. I query the purpose of the Statement of Expectations if it this is not enforceable until an access code is produced or may not be enforceable at all. This is a question I will raise during the consultation process.”
Mr Edwards said that it was vital the community is more involved in transmission line projects, especially in the years ahead as Australia transitions from coal-fired electricity to renewables. “Transmission line projects, the scale we are about to experience right across Victoria, have not been built for close to four decades. As such, the regulatory framework is not fit for purpose, and there is a notable lack of planning policy for new transmission,” he said. “Instead, project proposals such as the WVTNP (Western Victoria Transmission Network Project) have stumbled upon regulatory intervention, community opposition, and last-minute reform because no one considered the importance of community in the planning process. “It is extremely important that community-guided policy and framework lead this transition.” For more information and to view the draft Statement of Expectations, visit www.esc.vic.gov.au and click ‘Electricity transmission company land access statement of expectations’.
A new nature strip guide that allows hard surface nature strips has been approved by Council, but not every Councillor was in favour. The ‘Draft Nature Strip Policy and Nature Strip Guidelines’ came before Council at the 3 March Ordinary Meeting, after a public exhibition period ran from August to September 2021. Despite over 9,000 people viewing the ‘Have Your Say’ Council webpage and over 3,700 downloading the Nature Strip Policy and Guidelines during the exhibition period, only 22 provided survey submissions. Of those 22 respondents, 10 favoured hard surface nature strips such as crushed rock and mulch, compared to 1 for grass and 1 for mulch and shrubs. The recommendation before Council was to adopt the updated Draft Nature Strip Policy and Draft Nature Strip Guidelines, allowing grass/turf, plants/shrubs with a maximum height of 500mm with wood chips/mulch, and compacted gravel to be used in nature strips in residential areas of Bacchus Marsh and Ballan. The recommendation was moved by Cr Moira Berry and seconded by Cr Rod Ward, but opposed by Cr Ally Munari, beginning a debate. Cr Berry expressed her satisfaction that the policy “addressed all concerns and reports that have come in”, while Cr Ward argued the policy “reflects residents and ratepayers’ developments over the past decade or so”. “It legalises the toppings and the gravel of nature strips that
have existed in the past, so that saves residents the cost of watering. I think it also puts very strict guidelines in place for the development of nature strips in new estates,” Cr Ward said.
a higher priority than convenience. I feel that by supporting the addition of gravel nature strips, this will encourage residents and visitors to park their vehicles on gravel nature strips, which will in turn considerably increase the risk for pedestrians and their safety,” Cr Munari said.
he is happy for Bacchus Marsh to have this. “…but the issue we have in Ballan, and I’ve said this all the way through, is that we have a different street layout, the streets are much wider,” he added.
greenery and our wide streets… if we start putting gravel down, I somehow think we’re going to lose the picturesque feel, it’s a bit like an oil painting in spring.” After the debate, all four East Ward Councillors, Berry, Dudzik, Edwards, and Ward voted in favour of the motion, while Crs Munari and Tatchell voted against. Therefore, the motion was carried.
Rocky reception for nature strip guide However, Cr Munari and Cr Paul Tatchell argued the policy would compromise safety and amenity, respectively. “I just feel, for me, safety must be
Cr Tatchell said he has made the point on a number of occasions that
“It’s a very green area, we get better rainfall up here, so our nature strips tend to be a little bit better. We’re very proud of our
Request for Tender Agent Services – Ballan
The Australian Government agency Services Australia is seeking tenders from organisations to provide Agent services in Ballan. We contract Agents to deliver services and programs on our behalf. Agents help people in rural and remote Australia to access government services. Agents provide a face-to-face information service and free self-help facilities. These include an internet enabled computer, Wi-Fi, telephone and scanner/ photocopier/printer to help people do their business with us. We’ll negotiate a remuneration package with the successful applicant, based on agreed hours of service. We’ll also provide training and equipment. Go to Austender at tenders.gov.au and search for Request for Tender (RFT) identifier RFT1000864880 to view: • the selection criteria • general information on Agent services • the terms and conditions for this opportunity. Please note: • Your organisation must be registered and logged on to access these documents. • Tenders must be lodged in AusTender as specified in the RFT. For more information please contact Kim Hennessy at tender.one@servicesaustralia.gov.au The Request for Tender closes at 2 pm, Sunday 27 March 2022.
Millions in forgotten money up for grabs
(M/News 15 March)
“The Moorabool Shire doesn’t like people parking on the nature strip in the industrial estate. I copped a fine for it the other week, plus parking less than 10 metres from an intersection (that they didn’t even measure). We measured after the fines came rolling in & most were within the 10-metre mark. Hitting a small business for over $900 in fines is wrong. Especially with the hard hitting we have had through COVID.” - Matthew Stapleton 0952SD_2851
Energy companies accessing private land is an issue in the forefront of many Victorians’ minds, including those in Moorabool, at the moment, and now the state’s energy regulator wants to hear how the process should be improved. The Essential Services Commission (ESC) is an independent regulator which regulates Victoria’s energy sector, and is working on a statement of expectations for transmission companies to follow when accessing land. The ESC is particularly interested in hearing from those who have had their land accessed for transmission line projected or similar works. “Landholders expect transmission companies to respect their land by following reasonable and transparent processes,” CEO of the ESC, Dr John Hamill, said. “We will engage with a wide range of stakeholders in developing the statement of expectations, including landowners, community organisations and energy companies.” Dr Hamill added that following the statement of the expectations, the commission would develop an enforceable access code. While he encourages everyone to have their say on the draft Statement of Expectations, Darren Edwards from the Energy Grid Alliance expressed a level of concern about the announcement. “While the need for more transmission
The State Revenue Office (SRO) has put out a call to Victorians, to check if part of a whopping $111 million in unclaimed money belongs to them. Over 740,000 entitlements are waiting to be claimed across the state, with individuals and businesses able to claim their unclaimed cash through a simple system, beginning with a search on the SRO’s website. There are 2,602 outstanding entitlements in Moorabool totalling $264,122, and 1,085 totalling $120,754 in Hepburn. The money includes share dividends, salaries/wages, rent and bonds, debentures and interest, proceeds from a sale, and Tatts/
Intralot/TAB winnings and prizes. Since 2017, there have been more than 60,000 successful unclaimed money claims from the SRO, worth close to $20 million. These have come from a range of sources, including utilities companies, councils, real estate agents, insurance companies and lotto tickets. The highest unclaimed gaming ticket in the state is a $2,136,327 Tatts ticket received in March 2016. It’s free to search the register and make claims. To search and apply for your unclaimed money, visit www.sro.vic.gov.au/ unclaimed-money.
COMMUNITY UPDATE April 2022 Moorabool North Wind Farm
Progress to date • Up to 75MW (27 turbines) opera�ng
Look ahead • AEMO Compliance (Hold Point) tes�ng to con�nue – increased opera�ons, in 2022
Moorabool South Wind Farm
Moorabool Wind Farm Community Fund 2022 To date, Moorabool Wind Farm has invested more than $450,000 in the local community through its community funding, local sponsorships, and community partnerships. The third Round of the Moorabool wind farm Community Fund will open in May 2022. For details on the Guidelines and how to apply, visit www.mooraboolwindfarm.com
Progress to date • Pre-Commissioning of all Fi�y-Four (54) turbines complete Look ahead • AEMO Compliance (Hold Point) tes�ng to begin in 2022, leading to opera�ons
igure 1 Computer generated image of Moorabool North Wind Farm from the corner of Ballan Meredith Road /Egerton Bungeeltap Road and Hamils Lane. Landscape and Visual Screening Program ooking north west of residen� dwellings 4km of theofMoorabool Wind Farm mage ofOwners Moorabool North al Wind Farm within from the corner Ballan Meredith Roadare /Egerton Bungeeltap Road and Hamils Lane. invited to par�cipate in a landscape and visual screening program. This is to assist those closest neighbours in reducing the poten�al visual impacts of the project. All agreed works are undertaken by Moorabool Wind Farm at no cost to dwelling owners.
MOORABOOL NORTH WIND FARM - CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – July ABOOL NORTH 2018 WIND FARM - CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – July Visit www.mooraboolwindfarm.com or contact us for more details.
To contactthe us or to register for future project Zenviron, contractor appointed by Goldwind for the civil construction and electrical works for updates and newsle�ers please use the following methods: the wind farm project, has started the initial stage of works. This work includes the establishment of he contractor appointed by Goldwind for the civil construction and electrical works for www.mooraboolwindfarm.com the temporary construction compound and access roads on the project area. Construction activity is arm project, has started the initial stage of works. This work includes the establishment of info@mooraboolwindfarm.com currently focused on the western side of the Ballan-Meredith Rd and will move to the western side rary construction compound and1800 access roads on the project area. Construction activity is or call: 660in the of the Moorabool River019 later year. ocused on the western side of the Ballan-Meredith Rd and will move to the western side orabool River later in the year. There will be an increase in construction traffic in the coming weeks due to the movement of