In last Tuesday’s edition, the “Buloke Times” published a report from a reader, critical of the visit by Transmission Company Victoria to the area of the VNI West.
Subsequently, the “[Buloke] Times” received the following statement from a spokesperson for Australian Energy Market Operator, AEMO:
“The landholder liaisons were on their way to an appointment with a local landowner, who had spoken with them the previous day and agreed to meet and receive some information on the project.
“They were on a public road when they were surrounded by a large group of people who blockaded their car with vehicles and heavy farm machinery, preventing them from leaving.
“TCV is seeking to contact landholders within the draft corridor to hold a simple, initial conversation which will help us to verify the information we have gathered so far, as we work to refine the route for the project, and start directly addressing questions on important issues.
“Our plans and process for contacting landholders have been widely communicated, including through the media. We are in the process of contacting all landholders within the draft corridor as a priority before we make details of the corridor public.
“Our conversations to date with farmers and community members, including landholders, have been overwhelmingly respectful and constructive, regardless of individual views of the project.”
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 8 September 2023.
Related story: Showdown at farms along VNI West.
