Farmers “snubbed” by NSW Government go-ahead for above ground powerlines
Farmers say they have been “snubbed” by the NSW Government after Premier Chris Minns vowed to forge ahead with above ground powerlines.
NSW
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Angry farmers say Premier Chris Minns “snubbed them” by giving the green light to build 360km of high-voltage transmission lines over their prime agricultural land.
Mr Minns ruled out putting the powerlines underground because it would triple the cost of the $4.9 billion HumeLink project, and vowed “it’s just too much money.”
However Central West farmers have accused the government of “ignoring their concerns” in their pursuit of renewable energy and net zero emissions.
Dungowan farmer Jacqui Gidley-Baird discovered that HumeLink would cut through her property from a Facebook post, and said that the government has continued to turn a blind eye ever since.
“The more we learn, the more terrified we are,” she said about the decision to dismiss the affected farmers.
Mrs Gidley-Baird said the 500 kilovolt cables will significantly “increase our fire risk, and also our ability to fight the fires”, as Australia prepares for the most significant bushfire season since black summer.
Yet despite calls for consultation, Mrs Gidley-Baird said that the government will “not give us answers, and the foot is on the accelerator.”
Community spokesman Michael Katz said the decision to ignore farmer’s concerns is “a slap in the face for the hard working and caring people of this community”.
“This entire exercise was predetermined and a complete sham,” Mr Katz said after news broke that the NSW Government Inquiry into the project was predetermined.
“Clearly, they knew the outcome before it was announced which is a disgrace.”
Former deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce claimed the decision to build overhead powerlines was “ultimately a swindle” between the government and TransGrid – the foreign company tasked with the project.
“Power prices are going through the roof, reliability is going through the floor and the money is going overseas.”
Although the powerlines will pass over Mr Joyce’s property at Danglemah, the outspoken MP was more concerned about the project’s feasibility, which he likened to “connecting a high transmission line to a clothesline”.
“Why would you want to connect transmission lines to something that doesn’t work yet?” he questioned.
HumeLink is billed to connect to the Snowy Hydro 2.0, however “the largest renewable energy project in Australia” will not be operational until 2030 amid cost blowouts and delays.
“It’s completely unreliable and unaffordable,” he said, “what do you think is going to happen to your power prices?”
While Mr Joyce called for farmers to rally at the steps of Parliament House, community groups have vowed to regroup and promised the “battle is not over”.
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