Survey on community concerns

Have your say: The Western Renewables Link has received strong community opposition, and psychology researchers are eager to hear the community's thoughts on the project and their local environment. Photo: FILE

AN ONLINE survey by two Victorian universities is asking Moorabool Shire residents their thoughts on two issues that have been front of many people’s minds for several years.

Researchers from Deakin University and the University of Melbourne are inviting people from Moorabool Shire aged 18 and over to participate in an online survey regarding transmission towers and West Gate Tunnel soil.

The former has been a community concern for more than three years in the form of the propose Western Renewables Link and VNI-West project, while West Gate Tunnel soil faced strong community opposition to being stored in Moorabool, and ended up going to Bulla instead.

The anonymous online survey takes around 18 to 25 minutes to complete, and asks respondents their feelings on the aforementioned transmission tower projects, and the former West Gate Tunnel soil issue.

Questions include thoughts and feelings on quality of life, sense of belonging to the region, and views on waterways and the environment.

The results of the study will help psychology researchers further understand beliefs and feelings related to community issues, environmental issues, and infrastructure projects within the Australian context.

The findings will also be analysed and published in academic journals, and shared via academic conferences, via social media, and other platforms, though no individuals who took part will be identifiable.

People who complete the survey will go in the running to win one of twenty $50 Coles-Myer vouchers.

For more information and to take part in the survey, head to tinyurl.com/local-issues-survey