The alliance opposing the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project will hold community information sessions from Clunes to Melton later this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stop AusNet's Towers will hold sessions in Clunes on Thursday, November 25 from 6.30pm at the Clunes Football Netball Club, with a free barbecue, and at Myrniong on Friday, November 26 at the Recreation Reserve from 6.30pm.
There will be a meeting at the Darley Hub on November 29 from 7pm, and a free barbecue at the Springbank Football Club rooms on December 1 from 6.30pm.
A session will also be held at the Melton Community Hall on December 8 from 7pm.
Moorabool Shire Council has also organised an online community session with the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning to explain the state government's Renewable Energy Zones plan - the session begins at 6pm on Thursday, November 25.
The project involves building high-voltage overhead transmission lines from Bulgana, near Ararat, to Melbourne's western edge, aiming to connect new renewable energy generators to the grid while also adding more capacity.
READ MORE: See the narrowed corridor map
AusNet services won the tender from the independent Australian Energy Market Operator to design, build, operate, and maintain the new transmission line, but has faced extensive and vocal community resistance.
The project is currently undergoing its Environmental Effects Statement study, which is expected to be completed and submitted to the state government next year.
The final route has not yet been determined but is expected "within weeks".
READ MORE:
Opponents say the project will destroy farming businesses which have been run by families for generations, potentially affecting the massive potato industry to Ballarat's north, as well as impacting tourism and the environment.
Many community members, and local councils, have called for the lines to be built underground where possible - Moorabool Shire Council commissioned an independent report that showed it was feasible, if expensive, and AusNet has said it will be investigating full and partial undergrounding as part of the EES.
In a media release, Stop AusNet's Tower's campaign chair Emma Muir said the company had not "listened or acted upon the vast concerns brought to them by the community and businesses".
"No amount of money saves our lives and no amount of money saves the irreversible environmental damage," she said in a statement.
IN THE NEWS
"This community is not for sale and no amount of compensation can buy our safety and future.
"We are taking legal action to fight AusNet and AEMO. This project must be reassessed and put underground. We urge all Victorian's to get involved because the issue of overhead transmission lines will affect each and every one of us, as we head into this renewable energy transition."
AusNet has consistently called for community members to engage in the EES process to help inform the route, and has offered to refund up to $1000 for landholders seeking independent legal advice.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.