Page 12 The Moorabool News – 7 June, 2022
News
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Murky waters on land access By Lachlan Ellis The state regulator has set out a new ‘Statement of Expectations’ for how electricity transmission companies access private land – but it remains to be seen how a company planning local power lines will comply. The Essential Services Commission (ESC) put its Statement of Expectations into effect on Wednesday 1 June, with transmission company AusNet – which is planning the high voltage overhead powerlines as part of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) – welcoming the news. “The Statement of Expectations will help to ensure the community can hold us to account against clear guidelines of how we are to approach negotiating land access and agreement making,” AusNet’s Chief Development Officer, Chad Hymas, said in a media release. “AusNet acknowledges how frustrating and upsetting the process of land access has been for some landholders. We hope that the Statement of Expectations and the training our staff and contractors are doing to deliver this, will improve the experience for landholders, acknowledging the challenges experienced to date.” Mr Hymas added that AusNet is “absolutely committed to working closely with the
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Essential Services Commission to ensure the community’s expectations are fulfilled and the process is improved in the future”. Among the principles within the Statement of Expectations are to “ensure staged, timely engagement and consultation”, “employ respectful two-way communication”, and “make clear when and why access is required”.
But community groups fighting plans for the WVTNP to go overhead aren’t convinced much will change with how AusNet operates. Community group Stop AusNet’s Towers has been protesting AusNet’s plans for the network for the past two years, including how it accesses private properties, through methods the group has called “heavy-handed”. Chair of Stop AusNet’s Towers, Emma Muir,
said the ESC’s Statement of Expectations may help keep AusNet accountable for any future wrongdoing regarding land access, but said Mr Hymas’ response was “all spin”. “I hope we can use this Statement of Expectations to hold AusNet to account, and when they don’t do the correct thing, that we will be able to make sure they are held accountable by the ESC and the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria,” Ms Muir told the Moorabool News. “If they wanted to do the right thing, they should’ve started two years ago. They’ve lost all social licence with us, I don’t know how signing up to a Statement of Expectations will now get us to open the door for them. It’s not going to, we still don’t trust them, they still lie and deceive us. You can’t erase that by signing up to a piece of paper.” Ms Muir also said she hoped the new Federal Government would see some change in how the WVTNP is planned. “When we met with Chris Bowen, who is now the Energy Minister, he said he will be speaking to AEMO and bringing them more into the group. They’ve committed to the Rewiring the Nation policy and to changing to RIT-T process…that’s the commitment he gave to us, but the proof will be in the pudding obviously,” she said. To view the statement of expectations, visit www.esc.vic.gov.au, search “statement of expectations”.
Charges laid over May-hem on roads Darley murder By Helen Tatchell Homicide Squad detectives charged a man on Monday 30 May with murder following the death of a woman in Darley on Saturday night, 28 May. The 20-year-old man from Darley appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on the Monday and will reappear for a committal mention in October this year. Emergency services were called to an address in Egan Court about 10.30pm and upon arrival police found a 67-year-old woman with critical injuries, she could not be revived and died at the scene. Police said the parties involved were known to each other. A gofund me page has been set up to cover the costs of the funeral for the deceased woman by a close friend of the family. “I am organising this gofund me page to help with funeral costs and any expenses they may encounter at this terrible time,” the post read. “The circumstances are beyond belief; I simply cannot imagine what they are going through. “The donations to this page will help the family give her the most beautiful farewell that she deserves, as well as family counselling for the husband, kids and grandchildren.” The post continued to say the family appreciate the love and support given by family, friends and the community. The deceased woman posted on social media a “happy 19th birthday. Have a great day, love Ma and Pop xxxooo” in March 2021 to the alleged 20-year-old charged with her murder. To donate, go to – gofund.me/ff04bbf8
Local VicPol members in the Moorabool Police Service Area, have been busy focusing on traffic and driving during the month of May. They took to social media with their message. “Driving conditions are changing, speed zones are not,” the post read. “Drive to the conditions, drive to the speed limit and don't drive without a license; road safety is everyone’s responsibility.” With a recent polar wintery blast last week and heading into this week, weather conditions will now have an increased risk for drivers as winter has officially begun. “There will be increased risks with black ice on the roads and poor light- it's imperative for the safety of everyone on the roads that people adhere to the messages and drive to the conditions and within the speed limit.” Below is a series of excessive speeding and unlicensed driving incidents that happened during the month of May around the Moorabool Police Service Area: • Unlicensed Motorcycle rider (16 years old) - $909 fine. • Excessive speed - 95kmph in a 60kmph zone- $591 fine and three-month license suspension • Excessive speed - 95kmph in a 60kmph zone- $591 fine and three-month license suspension • Excessive speed - 131kmph in a 100kmph zone $500 fine and three-month license suspension • Speeding and unlicensed driving - 116kmph in a 100kmph zone - $909 fine for unlicensed driving and $363 speeding fine. • Excessive speed - 130kmph in a 100kmph zone (intercept as a result of a Triple-000 call) $500 fine and three-month license suspension • Speeding in a school zone - 69kmph in a 40kmph zone - $500 fine and three-month license suspension • Suspended driver at excessive speed - 88kmph in a 60kmph zone - summons to court and car impounded • Probationary license driver - 136kmph in a 100kmph zone $591 fine and three-month license suspension. • Probationary license driver - 135kmph in a 100kmph zone - $591 fine and three-month license suspension.