News
Page 8 The Moorabool News – 28 June, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Arcing up over power project name change By Lachlan Ellis A controversial powerline project has had a name change, but community groups protesting the project say they want a more tangible change than a few words. The Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) was renamed the ‘Western Renewables Link’ last month by planners AusNet Services, with the company stating the change reflected the focus on transmitting renewable energy. “The name change is simply to reflect more accurately the important role this project will play in bringing renewable wind and solar energy from the west of the state to the grid for all Victorians to use. It does not impact the final route or our ongoing consultation with the community and landholders,” an AusNet Services spokesperson told the Moorabool News. “The project is continuing to investigate partial undergrounding options as part of the Environment Effects Statement, which will be lodged later this year.” AusNet’s spokesperson also drew attention to the current power crisis, which they said, “shows that Australia must commit to long-term plans to ensure we build a system which will secure the future energy needs of every home and business and keep the lights on”.
But numerous groups have formed to oppose the preferred route of the network, and the risks that may come with establishing it through overhead powerlines, such as the Stop AusNet’s Towers group. Chair of Stop AusNet’s Towers, Emma Muir, said the new name was misleading, and a new name wouldn’t change the “dangerous” nature of the project. “This is a feeble attempt by AusNet to disassociate themselves from the negativity associated with the WVTNP. The WVTNP was designed to transport brown coal generated electricity, this is what justified the projects inception. It will transport green energy as well, but make no mistake, this transmission line is also designed to transport brown or dirty energy,” Ms Muir told the Moorabool News.
“Under any name this is an unacceptable, ill-conceived, and dangerous project, that will destroy the environment, not improve it. Why are AusNet not addressing the grave concerns being put forth by the community? They spend more time and money on wasteful marketing campaigns designed to coerce and deceive our community, rather that legitimately addressing the impacts. “There is a better way to deliver the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project – one that delivers the same benefits, the same action on climate change, without destroying our environment and communities.” The Stop AusNet’s Towers group are campaigning for the overhead transmission line project to be put underground.
Cold hard cash for MND By Lachlan Ellis
Photos - Pink Heath Photography/Raelean Townsend from BMFNC Facebook
Over $50,000 has been raised in the Moorabool community at a local Big Freeze event, with all proceeds going towards finding a cure for the terminal illness, Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Big Freeze in the Marsh raised over $36,000 from donations to sliders going into the icy water before the Bacchus Marsh v Sunbury Queen’s Birthday weekend match, with beanie sales adding up to more than $50,000. Bacchus Marsh Football Netball Club (BMFNC) President Mark Farrell was one of the many brave sliders taking the plunge, dressing up in a goldfish suit. He said it was fantastic to have a physical event again for the first time since 2019, and thanked everyone who donated, and the organisers who made the day possible. “We had a big crowd, around 20 people went down the slide. When I got down into the water, my first reaction was it wasn’t as cold as I thought it’d be, then all of a sudden it hit me,” he laughed. “We raised a bit more money than the last one in 2019, but it’s been really good…even in the years we couldn’t have the slide, we were able to raise $16,000 to $17,000. “A big thank you has to go to the Bacchus Marsh Football Netball Club Committee, all the volunteers, and the organisers Anne Phyland and Ian McClure. And of course, all the people who attended and donated.” The Big Freeze in the Marsh even made it on Channel Seven and Channel Nine. Local face of the fight against MND Phil O’Keefe has had MND for seven-years, and told Nine News it was “a bastard of a disease”. “It takes everything away from you, except your mind. This is my battle, but to see people come out is just extraordinary,” he said. “It’s not just a Melbourne event, it’s a regional event too, and we just can’t thank everyone enough,” his wife Triss added. You can still donate to Big Freeze in the Marsh 2022 – to do so, visit www.diybigfreeze.com.au and search “Marsh”. Across the country, the Big Freeze raised a record $19.8 million for MND research and patient care this year.