Stop AusNet’s Towers Newsletter – June 2022

We understand that landowners are already being approached by AusNet’s Land Liaison Officers to discuss negotiating a voluntary ‘option’ agreement for financial compensation for any proposed easements through their land.

If you are told by anyone that you will be financially worse off if you don’t negotiate an option agreement, or that your land will be compulsorily acquired, don’t fall for that. If a negotiated agreement cannot be reached, the compulsory acquisition process of evaluating and determining the compensation must comply with the Valuation of Land Act 1960 and the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (LACA).  This land acquisition process is not just a matter of AusNet nominating a $$$ amount per the required land area and that’s all you get – it is much more complicated than that and is entirely regulated by both these Acts and also involves a number of formal steps.

We are developing an information sheet that will explain all of this in more detail. We’ll let you know when it is available online.

Some interesting ’take aways’ from this article from the Age.

“AusNet Services argued during the trial that its spending on safety was ‘‘constrained’’ by both a regulatory obligation focused on price and reliability and the demands of its shareholders to achieve a good return on investment.”

THEIR SPENDING ON SAFETY WAS CONSTRAINED? 

Does this make you feel safe? Knowing this company will potentially construct and maintain the WVTNP? Putting profits over people’s lives is not acceptable.

Lead plaintiff Carol Matthews, who lost her son and family home in the Kilmore fire, said she was offended by the company’s attitude.

‘‘I find it unthinkable that the primary concern of SP AusNet was not for the survivors and the 119 lives that were lost, but purely to try and reduce their liability regarding the fire that was completely preventable,’’ she said.

Even in the most dire of circumstances, AusNet were unable to show compassion and empathy.

‘‘The lack of accountability and transparency from these foreign government-owned electricity suppliers is a real issue,’’ said ETU state secretary Troy Gray.

We have to ask….

Have Ausnet learnt nothing from their past mistakes? 

How can the government be comfortable to allow this project to continue in the hands of a company with such an atrocious history.

Coming up on June 25^th, 2022 – Two great events to Support the Stop AusNet’s Towers Campaign

1:00pm – Round 10 – Central Highlands Football – Springbank verses Newlyn at Wallace Reserve

7:00pm – Stop AusNet’s Towers Hoedown Fundraiser

Stop Ausnets Towers Hoedown fundraiser Presented by springbank and newlyn football and netball clubs

Join us in supporting the STOP AUSTNET TOWERS campaign at the STOP AUSNET TOWERS HOEDOWN FUNDRAISER

Date: Saturday, June 25th 2022
Time: 7pm – midnight
Location: Donegan’s Farm (Butter Factory Rd, Gordon)
Dress: To impress (semi-formal)

Tickets $40pp (includes two free drinks, finger food, and live entertainment).
All proceeds go towards the legal battle to fight the towers and terminal station.

STOP AUSNET TOWERS HOEDOWN FUNDRAISER Tickets, Donegan’s Farm, Gordon | TryBooking Australia

If you have an item you would like to donate to the Auction please reach out to Jacob White – 0448 810 880

We are taking our fight to the Streets of Ballarat.

The “Stop AusNet’s Towers Winter Rally” will converge on Ballarat on Friday July 15^th at noon.

We are coordinating three convoys that will including tractors, buses, trucks, cars and horses to descend upon Ballarat from the East, West and North with the message to “Underground It”

Start making your banners and thinking about how you will dress up your vehicles.

More information to follow.

Dig deep and tell your friends and neighbours. Every donation helps.

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