Tractors drive through Melbourne CBD as part of farmer protest against power line project

Scores of disgruntled farmers have driven their tractors through Melbourne’s CBD to protest against the state government’s controversial 400km power line project.

Angry farmers have descended on parliament to protest plans to carve up Victorian farmland to make way for a controversial 400km power line project.

Glenden Watts, a farmer from Charlton, called on the state government to halt the project immediately or risk farmers “shutting the gate” to project workers.

“Treat us like numbers and we will shut the gate and will continue to do that until there is some logic in the process.”

The move could cause costly delays for the project, which is already predicted to cost taxpayers $11bn.

National Party leader David Littleproud supported the farmers saying the project should be halted for further planning to avoid entire communities rallying against the project.

“We need to have a national conversation about this,” he said. “Let’s pause, let’s plan.”

He also called on Premier Daniel Andrews to halt the process immediately.

David Littleproud called on the Premier to stop the process immediately. Picture: David Crosling

A convoy of about 45 tractors drove from Footscray Rd to Cathedral Pl, where they circled around parliament as spokespeople and supporters rallied at the building’s steps.

The vehicles from regional Victoria were transported to the city on another convoy of about 20 trucks, which made its way through the state’s west earlier Tuesday morning.

Dozens of vehicles typically used on farms travelled along the Western Freeway through Rockbank and Melton, before making their way onto the Metropolitan Ring Rd.

They later proceeded to cross the West Gate Bridge and Bolte Bridge, before the trucks were parked in a parking strip near Footscray Rd.

Stuart and Gus Gould from Mysia were among many farmers involved in the protest activity. Picture: David Crosling

The convoy is part of a protest initiated by the Stop Labor’s Towers campaign, which consists of regional Victorian farmers and their families.

“Stop the towers tractor rally … today we make a stand! Today we step on the steps of parliament and tell them we will stop the towers,” a post on social media read.

“Bring your signs, banners and loud voices.”

The group is demonstrating against new transmission lines, which will run through properties and land in the state’s west as part of the proposed Western Renewables Link and VNI-West high voltage transmission network projects.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) put forward the proposals which could see a 190km high-voltage overhead transmission line installed from the Sydenham Terminal Station to Bulgana Terminal Station if approved.

It’s understood such infrastructure could unlock the “renewable energy potential” of western Victoria, making it a key renewable energy zone.

Stop Labor’s Towers said “hundreds” of farmers, residents and landowners would attend the rally in a bid to axe the projects, which the community believes poses economic, environmental and social impacts to their region.

Angry farmers descended on parliament protesting the move. Picture: David Crosling

Spokeswoman for the campaign Emma Muir said the Andrews government needed to be held accountable for its “poor planning” and “execution of these projects”.

“If the state government proceeds with these projects, it will cause immeasurable economic damage to local farmers and irreparable harm to the environment and landscape – to say nothing of the amenity and liveability of our region and the wellbeing of residents,” she said.

“Bushfire risk will skyrocket, high-value agricultural land that feeds Victoria will be destroyed, and land values will plummet.”

She added that while the regional community supported renewable energy and understood its importance, it should not come “at the cost” of agricultural resources and supply.

“The delivery of renewable energy must not come at the cost of food security destroying valuable and irreplaceable agricultural land, cause catastrophic damage to the environment nor put lives at risk from severely increased bushfire risk,” Ms Muir said.

“Above ground transmission infrastructure is not a future proof solution and AusNet, AEMO and the government are green washing this project”.

A slow moving group of around 40 tractors is making its way along Dudley Street into the CBD, heading towards Spring Street. The demonstration is expected to cause rolling disruptions to traffic and tram services. Please follow the direction of @VictoriaPolice. #victrafficpic.twitter.com/j7TXQ0NJiE

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) August 15, 2023

Victorian Farmers Federation President, Emma Germano, said the government had “failed to adequately plan for the transition to renewable energy and it’s completely unacceptable that farmers and our regional communities are set to pay the price”.

“Farmers and regional communities have been taken for a ride since these projects were announced and I’m not surprised that frustration is leading directly to Spring Street.”

A spokesperson for the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is carrying out the project on behalf of the state government, said good faith negotiations with landholders was ongoing for the project which would deliver power to 2.3 million homes.

“Transmission lines are urgently needed to keep electricity affordable and reliable for consumers, with Victoria’s remaining coal-fired power stations expected to retire by 2032.

“While Victoria has 6,500 km of existing transmission lines co-existing with farmers and communities, we acknowledge that consulting on a new transmission line is both complex and challenging.”

Campaigner Steve Clark said Tuesday’s protest was “not an anti-renewables demonstration”, rather a bid to save farmer livelihoods.

“Farmers and rural communities are on the renewable journey. Sustainability is in everyone’s best interest,” he said.

“We just ask that our landscapes, productivity and equity are not destroyed in the process.

“Today (we) ask that the flawed Western Renewables Link RIT-T is retested and includes environmental, social and the wider economic costs, not just economic benefits to the energy sector.

“We ask that underground HVDC is seriously considered, because in this once-in-a-generation transition we should be building a safer, more efficient, low impact grid for the next 50 years and beyond, not just slapping up the same intrusive overhead technology we used last century that is subject to so many risks.”

Those farmers that will be affected under the proposal were offered compensation, however Stop Labor’s Towers said the community doesn’t want money, rather it wants the projects to be done properly.

Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokesperson said it was aware of protest activity being held.

“There will be a highly visible police presence in the area to prevent breaches of the peace and maintain community safety,” they said.

The protest wrapped up about 2pm.