General News
24 September, 2023
Faces of AEMO's community voices: Big mystery
MYSTERY surrounds the identity of people appointed to raise community questions and concerns on the VNI West transmission line project. Australian Energy Market Operator has struggled to fill 20 spots on its community reference group but called 13...
MYSTERY surrounds the identity of people appointed to raise community questions and concerns on the VNI West transmission line project.
Australian Energy Market Operator has struggled to fill 20 spots on its community reference group but called 13 people together for the first time last week.
But Loddon residents are no closer to knowing who will be “raising questions and concerns on behalf of the community” about the project tipped to have a corridor between Charlton and Boort.
Group members, according to project information, will provide local perspectives, feedback and input as the project progresses and local concerns.
“Once we receive permission from those individuals, we will share details of the membership,” according to a TCV spokesperson.
They said: “The meeting took place in Charlton with 13 representatives from local communities along the proposed route for VNI West.
“It was a constructive meeting and will be an important forum for community members to raise questions and concerns about the project. The main focus of the first meeting was to welcome the group members, discuss how the group will run and expectations moving forward.”
TCV wants 20 people on the reference group. It says all people applying for the group had been appointed.
Loddon Mayor Dan Straub: said “Our local residents want to have confidence that their questions and concerns will be heard by members of the community reference group. Knowing the members will help link our communities with project management.
“Any delays listing group members may fuel questions about the project processes and the integrity of people who TCV has appointed speak on behalf of our communities faced with VNI West in the backyard,” Cr Straub said.
The VNI West route corridor is expected to be released within days. Five public information sessions will be held by TCV next month, including Boort on October 12.