Regional Victoria Power Alliance
The Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance Inc. (MCHPA) is a community led incorporated association which was formed in July 2020 as an “umbrella” group representing affected landholder’s, communities, organisations, businesses, and all other individuals and groups who would potentially be impacted by the proposed WRL (formerly known as WVTNP). We all believe that new infrastructure used to transport high voltage electricity from renewable energy sources must be undertaken in a least impactful manner that delivers minimal impact and low to no risk.
On 16 May 2023 the MCHPA expanded to Include VNI West impacted communities under the “Regional Victoria Power Alliance” banner. We are now united under the banner – Regional Victoria Power Alliance (RVPA).
One line: WRL and VNI West
The VNI West communities are only just starting their fight but have hit the ground running and several local action groups have already formed.
Concerns about the Victorian Government and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) proposing to build 80m high towers on our land to carry 400+ km (WRL plus VNI West) of 500kV overhead transmission lines through our districts, as well as build new terminal stations, all of which will have extensive impact.
WRL and VNI-West are essentially one line, this was confirmed by the “VNI West and WRL” Ministerial Orders published by the Victorian Government on 20 February 2023 and 27 May 2023 that have now undeniably revealed how inextricably intertwined both projects are, and that the Victorian Government has now taken full ownership of them!
Purpose and objectives
The RVPA’s purpose and objectives now reflect all our concerns about the impacts and heightened risks from both the WRL and VNI West transmission line projects to the landholders and communities within the respective proposed corridors. We will all advocate on behalf of our members and the environment and demand that these projects be reassessed using a comprehensive triple bottom line process to determine if they are needed at all and to comprehensively understand their impacts.
The organisational core of the Alliance is made up of a Steering Committee, four working groups (Legal, Technical, Campaign and Fundraising) and their work is supported by professional experts in legal, technical, advocacy and campaign areas. The Committee and many volunteer members of the Working Groups and by other individual community members and local action groups all along the line.
The Alliance has over 2,500 individual members and over 11,000 supporters through their social and newsletter networks. The Steering Committee also works with other community advocacy groups along the line who want to see this project done better. The Alliance works to ensure that each region can connect and work within their local communities and fight as one under the Alliance umbrella.
The Alliance is a well-organised association of dedicated and committed community volunteers from all along the affected areas working ‘together’, including Working Groups, Local Action Advocacy Groups, individuals and businesses who have united to fight the WRL and VNI West project.