General News
23 October, 2023
Security doubled amid rowdy start to session
ATTEMPTS by Transmission Company Victoria’s community information session facilitator to give a welcome to country were shouted down at Boort. Some among the more than 60 people in Boort Memorial Hall called out that there were more important...
ATTEMPTS by Transmission Company Victoria’s community information session facilitator to give a welcome to country were shouted down at Boort.
Some among the more than 60 people in Boort Memorial Hall called out that there were more important matters to discuss.
The rowdy start, however, was in contrast to St Arnaud the previous night when tensions allegedly boiled over and TCV abandoned the community information session.
Security was also greater at Boort compared with the first information session in June. Last week, there was a security presence at the front and rear of the hall in contrast to just one person earlier in the year.
TCV and Transgrid had more than 26 people at the Boort session, half on the panel taking questions from landowners and district residents.
A TCV spokesperson said: “Our planned meeting at St Arnaud last week was unfortunately abandoned on advice from the Victoria Police due to protesters’ intimidating and violent behaviour.
“Our priority is the safety of the community and our staff and when the police advised us not to go ahead with the event, we had to listen. This is unfair for the families that attended, wanting to ask questions on the critical infrastructure project,” the spokesperson said.
“While it was disappointing that we were unable to proceed with the St Arnaud session, TCV held public meetings in Charlton and Boort on Tuesday and Thursday. These were attended by more than 160 people in total and provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions across a range of issues. The discussion was robust but respectful, and we thank all those who took part.”
The accommodation bill for staff attending the Boort session has been estimated at $4000.
However. TCV would not confirm were staff stayed. “For the safety of our team, TCV do not share personal travel plans publicly,” the spokesperson said.
- CHRIS EARL