McCain Foods will not close its Ballarat facility if the Western Victorian Transmission Network Project is built, but it is concerned at the "impact" to its potato growers and their businesses.
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Asked about fears the Ballarat facility could close, a McCain spokesperson said in a statement "the Ballarat processing facility is not at risk of closure".
"McCain Foods will always be supportive of our growers, with whom we have longstanding relationships. We would hope that every effort will be made to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of all growers in our local region," they said.
"While the exact route (for the powerlines) is yet to be determined, McCain Foods estimates it will impact approximately 29 local growers and their businesses - supplying to multiple processes in the region.
"We are certainly concerned about the potential loss of some of the best soil in Victoria, and indeed Australia.
"With highly efficient centre pivot irrigation which maximises the application of our precious water resources, our growers in this region produce some of the best quality and highest yielding potato crops in the world.
"Australia is a country of limited high quality soils so this productive land should be protected and farmed sustainably for the food security of future generations."
The project, which aims to connect new renewable energy generators near Ararat to Sydenham on Melbourne's western edge with new high-voltage powerlines, has faced fierce opposition from farmers across the proposed area of interest, which initially covered much of the potato growing region to the north and east of Ballarat.
Farmers have repeatedly expressed their anger and deep concern at the lack of clear information regarding where the powerlines could go, demanding they are built underground along existing easements to prevent disruption to their businesses.
Many farms near Ballarat have been held for generations, making the most of the valuable soil.
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The project's proponent, AusNet, said in a statement detailed investigations, via independent experts, are still ongoing for the Environmental Effects Statement assessment process.
"We are in the early stages of the EES process and there is still a lot of work ahead, including engaging with farming businesses to best understand how they use their land, and the regional agricultural industry," they said.
"There will be many opportunities for landowners and the community to have meaningful input into the EES process and we've welcomed the willingness of some farmers to share details on their farming operations at this early stage."
READ THE FULL STATEMENTS FROM MCCAIN AND AUSNET BELOW
From McCain:
"McCain Foods will always be supportive of our growers, with whom we have longstanding relationships. We would hope that every effort will be made to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of all growers in our local region.
"While the exact route is yet to be determined, McCain Foods estimates it will impact approximately 29 local growers and their businesses - supplying to multiple processes in the region. The Ballarat processing facility is not at risk of closure.
"We are certainly concerned about the potential loss of some of the best soil in Victoria, and indeed Australia. With highly efficient centre pivot irrigation which maximises the application of our precious water resources, our growers in this region produce some of the best quality and highest yielding potato crops in the world. Australia is a country of limited high quality soils so this productive land should be protected and farmed sustainably for the food security of future generations."
From AusNet:
"As part of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) assessment process required for the project, we are currently conducting detailed Investigations via independent experts that will look at the concerns of landowners and the wider community, including farming practices and a range of land use impacts.
"We are in the early stages of the EES process and there is still a lot of work ahead, including engaging with farming businesses to best understand how they use their land, and the regional agricultural industry.
"There will be many opportunities for landowners and the community to have meaningful input into the EES process and we've welcomed the willingness of some farmers to share details on their farming operations at this early stage."
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