Infrastructure

Northern Grampians Shire Council has issued a harsh rebuke of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), citing its abject failure to answer local landowners' questions about controversial power transmission infrastructure. Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin said there was absolutely no justification whatsoever that the legitimate concerns of landowners remained unanswered at this stage of the project. “We are talking about one of the biggest rural energy infrastructure projects built in the past 60 years, and the government’s planner can’t confirm how it will operate on the easement,” Cr Erwin said.

When it comes to the North Parklands, Naracoorte Lucindale Council ought to be “on the front foot”, according to Cr Damien Ross ... But Mayor Ross seemed suspicious it could be “government speak” for councils and their ratepayers to carry some financial burden and responsibility.

Which projects will benefit communities outside Tennant Creek? A number of initiatives are designed to benefit communities outside of Tennant Creek including the Student Boarding Facility which will see a 40-bed boarding school built next to the Tennant Creek High School ... The Alliance has positions on the Governance Table and contributes to decision-making about the implementation of the Deal initiatives.

Northern Grampians Shire Council has called on governments and energy agencies to respond directly to the concerns of farmers and local landowners before it develops new power transmission infrastructure ... "At the forum most of these questions were left unanswered. Rather than decide and defend, the government needs to ensure that meaningful consultation and direct negotiation is offered": Cr Kevin Erwin.

More needs to be done to incentivize the aged care industry in the Limestone Coast region and make it more appealing, says Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt. Ms Pratt says as the population in the regional towns continues to grow, with that must come an expansion of services, including aged care ... “More and more people want to age well at home or be assured that their quality of life will be enhanced in aged care facilities”: Shadow Minister for Ageing Penny Pratt.

Stewart's Range farmer Heather Heggie is concerned about the rapid spread of weeds throughout the Naracoorte Lucindale Council district ... “My question is in the absence of an engineer, what is the criteria for managing unsealed roads and the potential for weed spread?: Stewart's Range farmer Heather Heggie.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is continuing in its ongoing objection to the unreasonable impacts of Inland Rail on the future of the region ... “These considerations and alternative routes are now being considered by Inland Rail – and we hope they consider all factors, not just saving money”: Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan.

More than 30 CEOs from the most influential peak bodies in the country joined forces in Canberra on Tuesday, for the historic launch of the National Alliance for Regionalisation. Established by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), CEO Liz Ritchie says this new Alliance is the first of its kind in this country, spanning business, health, education, infrastructure and environment. It aims to better position the regions to reach their potential.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has announced it will create the new VFF Energy and Transmission Taskforce to lead its advocacy on renewable energy and transmission infrastructure development across Victoria and help give farmers a say. The new Taskforce was established by the VFF Policy Council and will focus on providing a united advocacy approach for farming communities that are battling proposed developments.

Energyconnect will be constructing a worker accommodation camp ... to house workers during main construction activities as part of Transgrid’s construction of 700 kilometres of new power lines from the SA border to the regional energy hub of Wagga Wagga ... Crews will be working daily as required, Monday to Sunday 7am to 7pm in approved Out of Hours Work ... Workers will also be accessing water during the construction of the access point and will be using the existing water fill point ...