People power deny access

By Helen Tatchell

A burst hose from a farm water tanker showered AusNet representatives and their vehicle last Friday, after being denied access to a property in Bunding by landowners.

Over 30 vehicles and 50 people attended Gerald Conroy’s property on Stonehut Lane, supporting the ‘Stop AusNet’s Towers’ campaign at 8.30am, after being advised the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) people would be requiring access.

Mr Conroy received a text message advising they were “running late….and can’t make 8.30 as planned. Will contact you later this morning when we firm up a time”. They then arrived four hours later.

Mr Conroy had locked his gates and positioned farm machinery to deny access after being told “AusNet contractors and 12 security guards” will attempt to force access to the property.

“The same thugs that rocked my 75-year-old cousin off his gate last week,” Mr Conroy told a representative on the roadside.

Jamahl Waddington is the WVTNP Landowner Liaison and was not aware of the incident.

The proposed route is set to navigate its way through over 60km of prime rural and agricultural farmland within the Moorabool Shire. The total route is 190km with 85 metre towers of 500Kv high voltage overhead transmission lines.

Mr Waddington was at odds as to why they were denied access on the day.

“The ecology is still an important part of the thing, and I am happy to sit down and debate the project with you,” he said.

“Today though, I am not here debating, I am here to tell you this project is not going to have a massive impact on you and your property. Our job is to determine if this thing is feasible or not.”

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-08/3

in the 8 February 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.