FIERCE sporting rivals united at the weekend as protests against Australian Energy Market Operator plans to dot hundreds of high-voltage transmission lines across the Loddon escalate.
The impromptu half-time protest during the opening North Central Football League clash between Wedderburn and Charlton saw a tractor driven onto the Donaldson Park trotting track. Within minutes it was surrounded by dozens of football and netball fans from Wedderburn, Charlton and across to Mysia waving placards saying “No Go AEMO”.
Organiser Alex Holt also handed out “A Monumental Mistake” and “Needless Damage to Communities” posters - quotes from a report last week by Professor Bruce Mountain claiming AEMO’s 220km 500-kiloVolt line through the Loddon was flawed. 
Professor Mountain has accepted a Loddon Herald invitation to attend a special local forum on AEMO’s plans on May 5.
Mysia’s Sue Gould, who has been appointed to the Victorian Farmers’ Federation renewable energy taskforce was among families holding signs. More than 250 people attended a second VFF forum in St Arnaud on Monday - AEMO had accepted an invitation to attend but withdrew.
Mallee MP Anne Webster on Tuesday said Nationals’ leader David Littleproud would visit the region early next month to talk with landowners about AEMO plans.
AEMO’s formal consultation on its plan to send the line from near Stawell to the Murray River ended yesterday.