Agriculture
19 July, 2023
Opinion: Look at energy alternatives
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Look at alternatives Sir, It is so much more than “opposing the project which they say will run through their properties” when it comes to the VNI West project. It is about democracy! Generally, ‘community consultation’...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Look at alternatives
Sir, It is so much more than “opposing the project which they say will run through their properties” when it comes to the VNI West project. It is about democracy!
Generally, ‘community consultation’ has been a sham – ticking the box for AEMO, not the community, $10 paid to complete an Ipad survey is coercion. There has been no transparency for questions still remain unanswered. Compulsory acquisition, of what a sickening ring those two words make!
Just for a moment imagine 28,000km of transmission lines running from southern Victoria to northern Queensland. Imagine the materials needed. Are they going to be imported from our exports? Are they coming from a country which is the biggest annual emitter of planet warming greenhouse gases? How clean and green is that? Is Australia simply becoming a milk bar? Do we simply buy in and sell on to our citizens?
During COVID we felt and experienced the need as a nation to become self-sufficient and therefore, the need for more manufacturing in Australia.
As COVID subsides, sadly it seems, so does the need for self-sufficiency. Like me, these transmission poles and wires have a life span – they say 60 years. What happens then?
The question was raised at Charlton’s TCV community meeting last Wednesday evening and the answer was probably scrap metal!
This is all in the name of transitioning to clean energy. Almost forgot the 17 truck loads of concrete for one transmission pole
There are solid alternatives being put forward for a better way which present day infrastructure can facilitate, a cheaper way, a way with far less environmental impact and thus a lesser impact on human well being. Our Government needs to ask questions and listen to their people.
alternatives must be investigated, there has to be a better way forward than what is proposed.
If the Government isn’t willing to look at these alternatives, then there must be a Senate Inquiry to do so. It is so much more than power lines going through property, it is about sustainability, environmental impact.
It is about democracy!
Glenda Watts
Charlton