Page 10 The Moorabool News – 10 May, 2022
News
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Free Law Week info session
Upgrade for Peppertree Park Regular access into one of Bacchus Marsh’s most popular public parks will be closed this month, as works begin to upgrade the car park. The $360,000 Peppertree Park upgrade will establish a more accessible footpath (containing a new concrete crossover) and a car park, with some removal of existing vegetation from the middle of the existing car park. The vegetation will be replaced with central tree planting, while parts of the existing garden bed around the car park (containing overgrown shrubs) will be removed and/or uplifted. The existing drystone wall separating the park from the carpark will remain in place. Several accessible car parks will be marked out in front of the Bacchus Marsh Outdoor Pool, complemented by additional parking spaces throughout. These works are part of Stage 1, which has been funded through the Local Roads and
Community Infrastructure Program. The upgrade also includes constructing a more accessible footpath leading from the car park to the river path (including tree plantings and seating), as well as a refurbishment of the amphitheatre. The car park works are expected to take four weeks, meaning this entrance into the park will be closed throughout May. Alternate access into the park will need to be via Meikle Street, walking across the bridge, and entering the park alongside the outdoor pool. The path then connects with the regular footpath into the park. With the popular Peppertree parkrun uses the space on a regular basis, volunteers and participants can instead park on Meikle Street and access the park as above until the upgrade is complete. Amphitheatre refurbishment works are expected to begin once the car park/entry works are complete.
Have you been shying away from the need to organise a will and power of attorney? Do you avoid discussing with your family what your wishes would be in the event of illness or accident? You are not alone. It’s a topic everyone knows they need to confront but is much easier to throw into the too-hard basket. Enter a free information session to be run in Bacchus Marsh that will target these very issues in easy-to-understand language. As part of Law Week 2022, Laurels Education and Training (LET) in conjunction with Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service (BGCLS) will host an event that aims to address questions including how do I make a will, what can be challenged and what is my role as an executor or power Gillian Poirier who will be conducting the session for of attorney? Law Week. Photo - submitted “Going to an event like this refreshments will be provided. No cost provides people with a great opportunity to find out how to organise a applies but you must register your intention will and power of attorney, plus it encourages to attend by phoning the Laurels on 5367 them to have those sorts of conversations 1061 or email info@thelaurels.org.au with their families,” says Jacqui Lawrence, Victorian Law Week runs May 16-22. For Project and Education Officer for BGCLS. more information on all events visit lawweek. A lawyer from BGCLS will deliver the net.au information and answer your questions. For information on Laurels Education and Everyone is welcome to this event on Thursday May 19. 10am-3pm and Training go to thelaurels.org.au
W E ST E R N R E N E WA B L E S L I N K P R OJ E CT U P DAT E
Can farming activity occur under transmission lines?
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Communities across Victoria work, live and drive alongside powerlines every day. This includes farmers who run grazing and crops (including potatoes) under the 6,500 kms of existing transmission lines delivering power to homes and businesses across the state.
Where there is a need to operate vehicles and equipment above permitted heights, AusNet is working with landholders on possible solutions. This might include tower micro-siting, adjusting operations, and equipment replacement, with compensation.
A key component of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project’s engagement approach involves talking to landholders to ensure they have certainty around ongoing farming activities under the proposed overhead lines.
Grazing, cropping and agriculture are permitted within the easement as well as market gardens, orchards, horticultural nurseries (excluding buildings), water storage dams and operation of irrigation equipment (except for rain gun irrigators). Farmers will be able to operate centre-pivot and lateral moving irrigators.
We‘ve listened to farmers and undertaken research into land uses and machinery height limits under the proposed new renewables transmission link and have confirmed farming will be able to continue under the link. Vehicles and equipment of up to 5m in height can safely travel and operate under the 500kV transmission lines, and up to 8.6m with a safety assessment. The 500kV design incorporates 15m minimum clearance from the ground to the lowest point of the line, which Energy Safe Victoria confirmed is 6m more than required under the Australian Standards. In the 220kV section of the transmission line, vehicles and equipment up to 4.6m in height can travel under the lines. The minimum clearance from the ground to the lowest point of the line will be 9.2m.
For more information check out our Landholder Guide on our website desktop www.westvictnp.com.au phone 1300 360 795 � info@westvictnp.com.au � PO Box 638, Ballarat VIC 3353
Detailed investigations into the concerns of landholders and the wider community are continuing through the Environment Effects Statement process. The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project is planning a new 190km transmission line from Bulgana to Sydenham, which will help to reduce the cost of electricity while allowing new renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar, to power Victorian communities. This critical project will create more than 300 jobs during construction and provide major economic flow-on benefits for businesses across western Victoria. It’s the first step for the Western Victoria renewable energy zone, which is one of six renewable energy zones being considered in Victoria to help the state achieve its net zero emissions target.