Update on 26 April 2023
Council made a strong and clear submission to the energy regulator AEMO in response to the VNI West consultation report. The key aspects of our submission highlighted the need for greater transparency; a call for serious consideration of undergrounding through specific areas; noted the threat to the UNESCO World Heritage bid for the Central Goldfields; called for reconsideration of the route; and noted the social and environmental factors are not being given sufficient weighting.
In a timely intervention, two leading transmission industry experts recently described the project’s current plans as a “monumental mistake” and “biggest mistake in transmission planning in living memory”. Their submission attacked the technical aspects and argued that the existing infrastructure and easements in Gippsland should be used instead of the proposed solution. The experts also noted with concern the prospect of electricity bills tripling; a tenfold increase in bushfire risk; the increased likelihood of blackouts; and they too referenced the “needless harm” to communities…
Council remains of the view that this project does not have the necessary social license with which to proceed. We will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of our community for a better outcome. Council will provide ongoing updates via Council’s engagement website at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/VNI-West.
• Council is seeking a review to expand Creswick’s ambulance operations to 24/7, noting that in this critically important part of the healthcare system ambulance response times in Hepburn Shire are significantly behind the state average – 19 minutes compared to 13. Such an upgrade in the west of the Shire would complement the new ambulance station to be created in Trentham, in the east of the Shire, later this year.
• Council is calling for the formation of a Social and Affordable Housing Compact. Such a partnership between the state and local governments was originally called for by the state government way back in November 2020. The Compact would assist in addressing the crisis in housing and to ameliorate the significant issues faced by local governments.
• Council has continued our advocacy for additional funding required to complete the Creswick Trails project, which will be the site of the mountain bike events in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Round 4 of Community Grants is open until Friday 28 April. If you are part of a community group or not-for-profit organisation and are looking to fund a new project we want to hear from you. Take a look at the guidelines and apply via our website.
The past month has featured a number of prominent community events – including ANZAC Day commemorations, Clunes Booktown and CresFest. These events were very well attended and a credit to the hardworking organisers and their army of volunteers. The events also demonstrate Council’s ongoing support of the community and in their own way are a celebration of our diversity and acknowledgment of significant and valuable contributions by community members.
Cr Brian Hood Mayor