Get into the Summer of Glory Letters to the Editor

Writing letters to the Editor

Each letter must be accompanied with the writer’s full name, address and phone number (name and suburb for publication only) and limited to 300 words. Letters to be received via post or email (preferred option). The Editor has the right to limit the amount of words in each letter received and published letters are at the discretion of the Editor. Send your letters to news@themooraboolnews.com.au

Dear Editor,

On 14 July 2021, the new CEO for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Daniel Westerman, delivered a keynote address to the Centre for Economic Development of Australia, titled “a view from the control room”. It is free to read online.

In that speech, fresh back from a distinguished career in the UK and US electricity industries, he gave a positive impression of the Australian energy system, and he presented an optimistic view of the challenges it faced as it transitions from a reliance on coal to renewable energy.

energy, and we support new technology which removes risk from our community.

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

The return of the sport’s next potential megastar provides an added layer of excitement to this weekend’s Summer of Glory finale at Melton.

Captain Ravishing has the entire harness racing world talking after a brilliant end to 2022, and the Emma Stewart-trained speed machine will step out for his first race in more than two months this Saturday night at Tabcorp Park.

A sizzling trial at Ballarat last week has the four-year-old primed for a big season and fans will get to see him up close and personal when he contests the $100,000 COGS Services 4YO Bonanza.

It’ll be the first stepping stone in a campaign that will target the Chariots of Fire and Miracle Mile in Sydney, and likely include a shot at the world’s richest race – the $2.1 million TAB Eureka – in September.

Captain Ravishing’s return adds some extra star-power to a night featuring Victoria’s Grand Circuit classic, the Group 1 Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup.

The $500,000 heavyweight championship is the state’s biggest annual race and this year’s renewal will again feature a field jam-packed with stars.

And if the hot racing on-track isn’t enough to get you excited, there’ll be no shortage of fun on the other side of the fence with roving entertainment, bustling bars, food trucks, a DJ on the lawn, the ever-popular after-party and a plethora of children’s entertainment options. While Saturday is poised to be a beauty, the action at Tabcorp Park heats up the night before with the first leg of the Melton double-header.

The Woodlands Stud Great Southern Star is one of racing’s most unique events and takes centre stage on Friday.

Contested by the trotters, the GSS requires horses to compete in heats early on the card before qualifiers back-up and race in a rich $300,000 Group 1 final later the same evening. The two-night Melton extravaganza is a brilliant way to close the Summer of Glory carnival, with a gold coin donation all that’s required to enjoy the top-class racing on offer. Gates open from 5pm on both nights and more information can be found at thetrots.com.au/ events/tab-summer-of-glory.

He acknowledged that the technology required to generate alternate renewable energy was rapidly advancing but stressed that this was the easy bit. Hard realities also need to be discussed he said, referring to the need to augment the national transmission network to be able to capture this new energy and bring it to consumers. He argued that the key to successfully delivering these new transmission links was to “create the critical social and community licence …, by working with communities, early on and collaboratively, to listen to and address their concerns.”

Eighteen-months on from that speech, I would like to ask Daniel Westermann, how is that sentiment working for AEMO now?

Here in Victoria, the Western Renewable Link’s (WRL) attempt to garnish some form of social licence has all but petered out and the project now hides behind new-look branding and a name change and is seemingly waiting it out until the Environment Effects Statement. Meanwhile community opposition grows and is taking the fight to the Victorian Supreme Court.

I would also like to ask Daniel Westerman why it is that he believes, as CEO AEMO, that social licence is so important for these new transmission projects? I would be interested to hear his response. My answer to that question is as follows. I think it is because the community’s view of what is ‘in the community’s best interest’ has changed since the existing transmission network was built some 40 -50 years ago. In the face of increasingly hostile climate change, we now value our environment, our health and mental wellbeing, and our food security more. We want to preserve this. It is the reason we support the shift to renewable

Back in the day, the existing transmission network was primarily built by government agencies who were ‘publicly’ owned. Transmission lines opened up the country and delivered reliable electricity and a higher standard of living to many members of the community. Back then, when we looked at transmission lines going through paddocks, we appreciated them for what they delivered, and even cared for them up to a point. Collectively the community owned them, and while they presented challenges in living or working around them, we tolerated this and still felt that we all benefitted. If they occasionally failed, it was a community asset that failed, and we all shared that burden.

From the time that the transmission networks were sold to private, primarily foreign-owned companies, I argue that all that community goodwill has slowly been lost or is tenuous. The community now has no ownership in the transmission lines that criss-cross our state. Sure, they move power around, but this is primarily to benefit the electricity generators, not the greater community good. Now, I argue, many would, if they could afford the option, go off grid to avoid paying escalating prices we cannot influence for electricity, and to avoid suffering the impact when the company’s lines come down and the power goes off. We have to bear the cost of failure through our insurances, yet we are unable to seek compensation for losses caused by a power transmission company failing to deliver to contract. Before, we accepted this, but why should we continue to suck it up now?

I think that the current transmission lines around Melbourne and those snaking to Geelong and Ballarat are at best, just tolerated. At worst, they are resented and have become the focal point of our dissatisfaction with the ‘market’ driven energy system. As such, they are extremely vulnerable and I believe that it is critical that the AEMO and the transmission network operators rebuild the lost community goodwill as ‘social licence’ to ensure both the integrity of the current network and to facilitate the much-needed expansion.

Jim Phasey, Myrniong

Have your say as part of our Community Consultative Committee

Maddingley Brown Coal (MBC) are looking for volunteer community and business representatives to be part of our Community Consultative Committee (CCC) from March 2023.

The CCC provides MBC with informed and constructive advice which will help to guide us on operations and future projects.

To find out more use the QR code to access our website and update your details in the application form.

Expressions of Interest are open until 5pm Friday 17 February 2023

For enquires contact Alice O'Mara, Group Communications Manager by email alice@callejagroup.com.au

The Perfect Lifestyle Property In The Heart Of Ballan.

Set on approx 1 and a 1/4 acres this modern family home has all you need to move in and enjoy the space and privacy this quiet court location offers. Within walking distance to town and all ammenities including the Ballan train station for your Melbourne commute, schools, shops and supermarket.

Private Sale: $969,000 to $989,000 Inspections: Private Appointments

0411 065 339