Cultural survey closes road

By Lachlan Ellis

Moorabool residents and an energy company are butting heads over a July land survey, with property owners claiming their road was closed without prior notification.

There are conflicting accounts of what happened at Stone Hut Lane on Friday 22 July, with a local landowner claiming the road was blocked off – which would require a permit from Council – while energy company AusNet claims there was no road closure.

A spokesperson for Moorabool Shire Council said AusNet “contacted Council to advise they would be undertaking a study on the area as part of a Cultural Values Assessment, but advised there would be no disruption to traffic or road closures needed”.

However, Bunding farmer Archie Conroy said Stone Hut Lane was in fact closed on the afternoon of 22 July, and though it was only closed for a short period of time, he objected to landowners not being informed about AusNet’s plans.

“They’ve turned up and said they were going to do a survey along the Werribee River for about 15 minutes. They came down with two trucks and blocked off either end of the road and stopped access along the road,” Mr Conroy said.

“People here are going up and down to feed livestock, and it’s the peak time for lambing and calving season. You’ve got to be around them all the time, and to be stopped with no notification is just not right. It’s like they’re a law unto themselves, who do they think they are?”

When asked about the road closure, AusNet said that work was conducted at Stone Hut Lane, but denied closing the road.

“On Friday 22 July, work was conducted on the side of Stone Hut Lane, Ballan, to compile information required for the Environment Effects Statements for the critical Western Renewables Link project,” an AusNet spokesperson told the Moorabool News.

“The project followed all processes and notified the council in advance of the works. No permit was required because the works did not close the road. Traffic management and clear signage was on the road for the safety of workers and motorists.”

Mr Conroy also claims there have been discrepancies in the messaging he has received from AusNet.

“On Thursday 28 July at 5.10 pm I received a text from AusNet, when I called the number, I was asked if Ausnet could gain access to our property Friday 29 July, for conducting cultural surveys. Last week they closed the road to do cultural surveys, and in early June 2022 I was informed by AusNet that the cultural surveys were not required,” he said.

“So, someone, not me, is telling lies. These cold callers are harassing and intimidating me, my family, and my neighbours from their constant attacks on our health, safety, and wellbeing.”