Powerline protesters join forces

Groups opposed to overhead powerline plans have combined under one banner, pledging to collaborate and stop what they believe are poorly-planned projects.

On 16 May, the Steering Committee of the Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance (MCHPA) met in Maryborough with a number of other local action groups, voting unanimously to form the Regional Victoria Power Alliance (RVPA).

The purpose of the 16 May meeting was to discuss shared concerns about the Victorian Government and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) proposal to build 80 metre high towers to carry over 400 kilometres of 500kV overhead transmission lines via the Western Renewables Link and VNI West Projects, as well as build new terminal stations.

It was the MCHPA that put the proposal forward to unite under the RVPA banner, which was unanimously agreed to by all groups at the meeting.

In a release announcing the move, the MCHPA said that the new alliance wouldn’t decrease the power of each group to take action in their local areas.

“This does not mean that those who are fighting either project lose their ability to organise locally and make decisions that address their concerns, but it does mean that this strategic Alliance, which will be managed by a larger RVPA Steering Commitee with members from along the lines of both projects, will have greater resources and a louder voice in the fight against both projects. The intent is to ensure that local action groups can connect and work within each region, unified under the enlarged RVPA umbrella,” the announcement reads.

“We are confident that this Alliance will strengthen our collective fight, bolster community morale, increase our resources, help with fundraising for campaign and legal action, and ultimately deliver superior outcomes.”