LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

25 May 2023 print edition

AEMO, Government must address wellbeing

Sir, I recently listened to Simon Roger’s interview on ABC Radio. He was interviewing a Clunes farmer whose equity had been devalued by $1.5 million after being told that AUSNET would be installing two power transmission towers on his property. 
In a frighteningly similar manner to AEMO’s proposed Option 5, this new transmission line had simply ‘arrived’ in his local area.
The farmer put in a complaint to the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria but was told it was outside their jurisdiction. 
AUSNET responded to EWOV suggesting they would have a discussion with the farmer, but stressed they held a ‘firm position’. This statement was followed by six phone numbers - all relating to suicide prevention or self-help.
What a disgrace. Sadly, it seems AEMO is heading down this exact same path again. 
Nicola Falcon, Victorian Group Planning Manager for AEMO, stated at the Wedderburn Forum on May 5, that AEMO had been transparent, they had held drop-in sessions and community consultation. 
What was glaringly absent, was any mention for the consideration (let alone concern) of the emotional impact of Option 5.
As a health care worker, Stacey Keller was quoted in the Loddon Herald article Fuming Farmers Pop up Banners (May 18) ‘there is heightened worry and concern …farmers who are stereotypically known to show no emotion, are (now) showing emotion loud and clear, and it’s concerning. The utter negligence you at AEMO have shown towards the mental health of affected communities is horrendous. We are people.’ 
She continues by highlighting that ‘mental ill health and suicide rates among rural farming communities is significantly higher than the general population and non-farming rural males.’ 
What an insult and disgrace that the best our government and its energy providers can do is hand out suicide-prevention and self-help phone numbers as a solution.
Perhaps the Andrews Labor Government and Minister D’Ambrosio should hold AEMO accountable for not addressing the wellbeing concerns of their constituents.  Neglecting to consider such a critical element on a project of this scale will sadly only add to the tragic statistics to which Ms Keller referred.
AEMO have already shown they don’t care, but it is the role of our elected representatives to hold them to account. 
I’m calling on Minister D’Ambrosio and Premier Andrews to hold AEMO accountable for the sham that they call ‘consultation’.
Glenda Watts  
Charlton

Volunteers are our lifeblood

Sir, Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community.
From our CFA and SES members to our hall committees, neighbourhood houses, Landcare groups, Lions and Rotary clubs, RSLs, and sports clubs.
They give thousands of hours of their time to keep our rural and regional communities ticking.
After National Volunteer Week - I say thank you. Thank you for all that you do.
You make a difference to the lives of so many. And without you, we’d be a lesser place.

Martha Haylett
Member for Ripon

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