By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
Council and community groups have expressed their disappointment at a Supreme Court decision, which has backed fast-tracking of two controversial transmission projects.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday 20 December last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the State Government, in a case first brought before the court last September by the Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance (MCHPA).<\/p>\n
The MCHPA sought to quash two orders made by Victorian Minister for Energy Lily D\u2019Ambrosio in February and May, which would allow the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to begin early works on the Western Renewables Link (WRL) and VNI (Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector) West projects. <\/p>\n
While a win for the MCHPA in court wouldn\u2019t have necessarily led to the undergrounding of the lines that the group has been campaigning for for years, it would\u2019ve led to a review of those orders made by the Minister.<\/p>\n
MCHPA Chair Emma Muir said the result was a disappointing one for the Alliance. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pretty shattered. After three and half years, it\u2019s pretty sad. I don\u2019t even know what to say\u2026we thought we had a really good chance of winning, and we gave it our all. I think we just need to take a moment, look at the reasons given, and once our barristers are back from their break in the new year we\u2019ll have a re-look at it,\u201d she told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could appeal, if it\u2019s appropriate, but we don\u2019t know yet, we haven\u2019t looked into it, we\u2019d still need the barristers to have a look and see if it\u2019s possible to appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire Council \u2013 which has also been ardent in its support for undergrounding of the WRL, including commissioning its own independent report into undergrounding \u2013 has also expressed dismay at the ruling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be difficult news for community members who are affected by the project, especially during the holiday period,\u201d CEO Derek Madden said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the community\u2019s sake, we hope that timing of the Western Renewables Link Environment Effects Statement (EES) is not further delayed and goes on exhibition for public comment in late-2024, as is currently planned.\u201d<\/p>\n
As mentioned by Mr Madden, the WRL project has not yet undergone its EES process, which is set to be exhibited for public comment for 30 business days on the Engage Victoria website later this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis Council and community groups have expressed their disappointment at a Supreme Court decision, which has backed fast-tracking of two controversial transmission projects. On Wednesday 20 December last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the State Government, in a case first brought before the court last September by the Moorabool and […]<\/p>\n