STOP LABORS TOWERS NEWSLETTER – April 21st 2024

Dear Members,

It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Emma Muir, who has served as Chair of the Regional Victorian Power Alliance (RVPA) committee for nearly four years. Emma has been an invaluable leader within our organization, and her contributions have been instrumental in our fight against the Western Renewables Link (WRL) and VNI-West high voltage transmission projects.

Under Emma’s guidance, the RVPA has achieved significant milestones and seen great success. As Emma steps down from her formal role, we want to assure our members that the momentum of our efforts will not be lost. The remaining nine committee members, representing all parts of the WRL and VIN-West affected corridors, are highly committed, dedicated and aligned. Together, we will continue to champion our cause until a suitable result is delivered for our communities.

While Emma may no longer be serving as Chair, her dedication to opposing these destructive projects remains unwavering. She will continue to play an active role within our community and will remain a vital part of our ongoing efforts.

Throughout her tenure, Emma has demonstrated resilience and steadfastness in her opposition to these projects. She has been the face of our campaign and has worked tirelessly alongside the committee to implement hundreds of initiatives that have yielded positive results for our fight.

Of note she has championed public rally’s, many community meetings, fundraising, political advocacy at local, state and federal levels, engagement with local councils and may other notable accomplishments.

Although our fight is far from over, we are confident in the collective strength of our committee members and the many who support our fight. We remain committed to supporting our community and pushing towards a better outcome. Our decision to pursue legal action and take our fight back to the Victoria Supreme Court underscores our unwavering determination to ensure that these projects cannot proceed in the manner proposed.

As we navigate this transition, we extend our deepest gratitude to Emma for her leadership and dedication. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours, and we know that we will be calling on her often for guidance and assistance. And to our members, we thank you for your continued support and encourage you to stay engaged as we press forward in our mission.

Sincerely,

RVPA Committee

Rachel Carson’s seminal work, “Silent Spring,” stands as a timeless testament to the fragility of our natural world in the face of human progress. Published in 1962, Carson’s book ignited a global environmental movement by highlighting the detrimental effects of indiscriminate pesticide use on ecosystems and human health. Drawing parallels to Carson’s themes, the looming presence of high voltage transmission towers casts a shadow over our modern landscape, symbolizing the often overlooked but profound impact of technological advancement on the environment.

In “Silent Spring,” Carson masterfully elucidates the interconnectedness of all living beings within an ecosystem and warns against the consequences of disrupting this delicate balance. Similarly, high voltage transmission towers, while essential for powering our cities and sustaining our modern way of life, pose a significant threat to the environment they traverse. These towering structures, with their sprawling networks of power lines, disrupt habitats, fragment ecosystems, and threaten biodiversity.

One of the central themes of “Silent Spring” is the concept of bioaccumulation, whereby toxins introduced into the environment gradually accumulate in the bodies of living organisms, magnifying in concentration as they move up the food chain. Analogously, the electromagnetic fields emanating from high voltage transmission lines have been linked to adverse health effects in both wildlife and humans. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation can disrupt animal migration patterns, interfere with reproductive cycles, and even increase the risk of certain cancers.

Furthermore, Carson’s warnings about the indiscriminate use of pesticides and their unintended consequences resonate with the environmental hazards posed by the materials used in the construction of high voltage transmission towers. These structures often rely on materials such as treated wood, steel, and aluminium, which can leach harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil and waterways, contaminating ecosystems and endangering aquatic life.

Carson’s call for greater awareness and accountability in our interactions with the natural world serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to mitigate the environmental impact of our technological advancements. Just as “Silent Spring” sparked a paradigm shift in environmental consciousness, the proliferation of renewable energy sources and advancements in transmission technology offer hope for a more sustainable future.

Transitioning to underground transmission lines, employing bird-friendly designs, and implementing strategic land-use planning are just a few examples of how we can minimize the ecological footprint of our energy infrastructure. By embracing Carson’s ethos of stewardship and reverence for nature, we can strive to coexist harmoniously with the environment, ensuring that the legacy we leave behind is not one of silent destruction, but of thriving biodiversity and flourishing ecosystems.

In conclusion, the themes explored in Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” serve as a poignant lens through which to examine the environmental impact of high voltage transmission towers. Just as Carson’s book awakened society to the perils of unchecked chemical pollution, so too must we confront the ecological ramifications of our energy infrastructure. By heeding Carson’s warnings and embracing sustainable practices, we can forge a path towards a more resilient and harmonious relationship with the natural world.

We refuse to yield, we refuse to surrender. Our fight against the unjust Ministerial Orders imposed by the Victorian Government is far from over. Despite the setback of a Supreme Court judgment, we are determined to appeal, to challenge, to resist until justice prevails.

These Orders, laden with the weight of burden and injustice, threaten our homes, our farms, our businesses, and the very environment we cherish. But we will not relent. We will not back down. This is our final legal battle, our last stand to break the chains of oppression and reclaim our rights.

Now is the time to take action, to rise up in solidarity, to make our voices heard. We cannot do this alone. We need your support, your strength, your generosity. Every dollar donated is a brick in the foundation of our resistance, a beacon of hope in the darkness of adversity.

Together, we will defy the odds. Together, we will overcome. Together, we will safeguard our communities, our livelihoods, our future. Stand with us, fight with us, donate now. The time is now, the cause is just, the victory will be ours.

You can make a direct deposit online, or at a Bendigo Bank Branch

Name: Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance

BSB: 633 000

ACC: 175 892 850