Transmission lines – “Don’t think, do!” – More on the landholders’ fight
Peter Hobbs. This article which is intended to be a follow-up and one motivated by Charltonian Glenda Watts’s Letter to the Buloke Times Editor ... Glenda’s message is simple but significant in the process developed by the Victorian Government underpinning the construction of transmission lines in rural Victoria ... What follows is a dissection of these seven steps outlining [TCV's] shortcomings...
Council chooses company to start work on Mallanganee observatory early next year
Work on the Mallanganee observatory project is expected to start within the first three months of next year. At the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, December 9, the meeting went into confidential to discuss the tender for the construction of the Mallanganee observatory at the Mallanganee Lookout.
Weld Australia slams Opposition’s nuclear power plan as unrealistic fantasy
According to Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, the Opposition’s plan relies on the misguided notion that coal-fired power stations can continue operating reliabily indefinitely to bridge the energy gap. “It is a fantasy to imagine that coal-fired power stations can keep running without billions of dollars being poured into their maintenance. Many of these plants have already exceeded their design life two- or threefold,” said Crittenden.
Historic sealing projects deliver safety gains, improved reliability for outback motorists
No more precarious and lengthy travel for residents and travellers on Pooncarie Road ... “Central Darling Shire Council appreciates the funding support from the Australian and NSW governments because the road desperately needed to be sealed for road safety reasons,” said Central Darling Shire General Manager Greg Hill. “Now we can keep the road open during wet conditions, benefiting both residents and tourists.
Letter to the Corryong Courier Editor: Poor decisions have caused a catastrophe
Yola Cox. Nestled in the picturesque Tooma Valley, the Mannus Creek and its surrounding environment have long been a lifeline for the region’s farms, families and wildlife. However, a series of catastrophic decisions spanning decades have turned this once-thriving ecosystem into a disaster zone. The Mannus Dam was licensed in the 1980s to Ellis Williams. While the licence suggested the dam would support pisciculture, this promise was never realised.
Dead end on widening Canal Bridge
Sean Cunningham. Narrandera Shire Council will make yet another bid to have the Irrigation Way Canal Bridge en route to Leeton widened or replaced following a number of unsuccessful past attempts. Council has decided to seek support from various road users of the bridge before authorising the mayor to form a delegation to meet the Minister early next year.
Backup power for Lancelin rolled out
Lancelin residents will have backup power from a new high voltage injection unit in the event of long unplanned outages on the network, according to Western Power. Western Power asset management executive manager Gair Landsborough said high voltage injection unit (HVIUs) connect several emergency response generators together, that were monitored and managed remotely, to power a bigger area than would normally be possible when using a single generator.
After more than three years, Naughtons Gap Road is open — and we have the cake to prove it
The road closed signs either side of the landslip on Naughtons Gap Road were removed ... It’s been a long time coming — and it was fitting that the first two cars through on the new road were Paul Connolly’s 1953 FJ Holden and a 1950 Bedford.
Energy transition: at what cost?
An independent report by a leading consultant shows that the Labor’s Party’s ‘renewables only’ energy plan will cost Australians at least $642 billion, according to the federal Opposition. “This is five times more than they have told the Australian people,” Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien said.
Too expensive and too slow
Environmentalists in Gippsland maintain that nuclear energy is not a viable option for the region because it’s too expensive, its lengthy design and construction time make it too slow to replace coal, and it uses too much water. “Australia boasts abundant renewable energy resources, being the sunniest continent in the world and among the windiest, making renewable energy abundant and affordable,” Gippsland Climate Change Network said in its submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into nuclear power.
Nuclear power essential: Camier
Nuclear power generation in the Latrobe Valley is now essential because of the need for base load power in a balanced system as over-investment in renewables is destabilising electricity supply and increasing costs, according to a retired Morwell scientist. Dr Ron Camier, in a submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into nuclear power, said these increasing costs due to renewables were a primary driver for increasing unemployment and the cost-of-living.
Loy Yang seeks water for mine lake
Water is a key part of the operation of the Loy Yang mine – and will still be a key part of the brown coal mine’s future. The scheduled closure of the Loy Yang A power station in 2035 is looming larger on the horizon, and the water issue needs to be sorted out.
Funding for New England Rail Trail withdrawn by Federal Government
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised the Armidale Regional Council (ARC) that the $5.4m grant received to build the first stage of the New England Rail Trail has been withdrawn. NEMA is the Federal Labour Government body tasked with administering the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program (BSBR).
Regional Road Safety Alliance
Darren Davis and Ben Hood. For many decades our regional roads have been our most dangerous. Between 2017-2021 67 per cent of road users killed or seriously injured have been from our regional areas. These groups have typically been formed by families who lost loved ones. Due to lack of support, lack of funds and lack of mentorship from road safety stakeholders, Volunteer Community Road Safety Group numbers have declined rapidly during the last decade with regions such as the South East losing all of its groups.
“Say no to towers”
Alex Morrison. The Prime Minister has begun an anti-bullying campaign. It’s welcome. He could start right at home with his own government who are allowing TCV to bully farmers in this district into accepting the power lines that come with wind turbines. Their treatment of affected landholders along VNI West power line route is a disgrace, the so-called negotiations and compensation offers are a farce.
A wooden pipeline that carries more than water – it carries a lot of history
A captivating chapter of Tasmania's industrial heritage - a story of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship that celebrates innovation and resilience in Tasmania's wild west ...The story culminates with the remarkable Lake Margaret Hydroelectric Power Scheme - a testament to ingenuity and the enduring legacy of wooden pipelines.
Energy network prepares for summer
Electricity distributor AusNet has spent almost $60 million on vegetation management and maintenance programs in the last 12 months, to prepare the network ready for summer. AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said it’s important that the network is ready for severe weather events.
No plan for wind turbine fire threat
Despite a wind turbine fire in June having the potential to have caused widespread devastation, the Victorian Government has no plan to address and prevent future catastrophes … the Minister for Emergency Services was unable to report to Parliament or the thousands of CFA volunteers which turbines are fitted with fire suppression equipment, and what resources will be available to CFA volunteers to combat potential fires across any of the thousands of turbines distributed across some of the most fire prone areas in Victoria.
Buloke Times editorial: For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail … an absolute game changer
As communities throughout Victoria, and beyond, lament the downgrading of the Melbourne to Mildura rail line, a report has come to light at the “Buloke Times” office. It was more than two years ago (on September 21, 2022) by the not-for-profit Ouyen Inc. In common with towns including Birchip, Donald and St. Arnaud, Ouyen is located on the Melbourne-Mildura line, and the media release from there at the time was as follows, under the heading, For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail ... An Absolute Game Changer ...
Fourth service station approved for Yanchep with conditions
A fourth service station has been approved in the Yanchep shopping area despite 127 submissions against the proposal and concerns raised by Main Roads WA about direct access onto Marmion Ave ... Main Roads recommended refusal of the 24-hour service station, motor vehicle wash, dog wash and fast-food proposal valued at $3 million.
Mailing a letter set to rise to $1.70
Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), proposing an increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR) of $0.20 for small letters, from $1.50 to $1.70, and to the prices for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable – to take effect from July 2025.
Roadside fire danger
Privatisation and outsourcing are to blame for grass “higher than the white posts” along our region’s roadsides, according to SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. The hazardous vegetation was raised in State Parliament this month by the Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride.
