Farmers protest in grassroots uprising

FARMING families from around the state rallied in Bendigo last week outside the All Seasons Hotel Resort in an urgent call for action across several fronts.

The demonstration coincided with the Rural Press Club of Victoria hosting Premier Jacinta Allen at a lunch at the venue.

Sheep farmer Ben Duxson from Kanya in the Northern Grampians faces the installation of part of the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – a new 500 kilovolt double circuit transmission line – on his property, within close proximity to his shearing shed and house.

He said the rally represented agricultural people standing up for their right to farm instead of being taken over by Government-backed projects.

“We’re against the reckless renewable push and transmission lines and mines being railroaded and bullied onto our properties,” he said.

“It’s a massive disruption to our way of farming, our way of life and our landscape. No one’s happy about it. We don’t get a say in it, it just gets thrown on us.

“We want to be here as producers of agricultural products. We don’t want to be energy farmers for the future. We only get one go at this.

“We don’t think it’s a fair future for our kids to grow up in and it’s certainly not advantageous for Australia as well.”

Speaking at the rally, Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said there’s a widespread feeling of frustration among regional Victorians.

“Residents are upset and angry about a range of issues that directly impact their lives,” she said.

“Many farmers say they have been treated with contempt when it comes to the government’s approach to renewable energy.

“Proposals for wind and solar projects, and the potential damage that transmission lines and mines will have on farmland and their livelihoods have left farmers feeling extremely frustrated and angry.”