THE messages were blunt, the voices loud at Tuesday’s Stop the Towers protest.
There was farmer anger from across the Loddon, brewing since Australian Energy Market Operator switched preferred routes early this year to put prime local agricultural land under the path of 80-metre high towers.
Mysia’s Sue Gould used her placard to tell AEMO and the State Government that their compensation offers failed to convince local people: “We will not be Boort,” her sign said.
A union of frustration was formed with farmers south of the Great Dividing Range who have been battling Ausnet’s Western Renewables Link project.
The alliance has quickly morphed since February when Loddon farmers learnt of the route change from the Loddon Herald and the first group gathered at Woosang fire station in bewilderment and concern for the future,
That was the start of trying to have local voices heard by decision makers in Melbourne and Canberra.
Tuesday’s protest had its roots in silence and non-engagement with local communities by the State Government and what Loddon groups, including the shire council, has labelled unsatisfactory consultation processes by AEMO.
Protest organiser Glenden Watts said of the rally: “We will be seen. We will be heard.”
During a media conference, he was asked whether there was respect and understanding among people in Melbourne for rural communities.
“They’re hearts are in the right place ... ,” came the diplomatic response.
Within minutes the convoy of tractors chugged off from besides St Patrick’s Cathedral for the front of Parliament House to cheers from protesters making their voices heard in the state capital.
Wedderburn’s Susie Lockhart was at the front of the crowd, walking the footpath with her protest sign.
Alex and Tony Holt held up one of the No Go AEMO banners that have become a common site across the Loddon Shire. Karen and Chris Holt were just metres away with another placard making clear their anger at how the VNI West project is being rolled out in Loddon communities.
The Holts were among a large group of Loddon farmers who had travelled by train early in the morning from Bendigo to take their places on the steps of Parliament House.
So, too, did Wedderburn’s Peter McHugh - CFA volunteer overalls rolled up under his arm ready for the symbolic warning hours later that firefighters remain unconvinced that VNI West will not increase the risk of fire across the region.