Over 50 tractors arrive at state parliament to protest AusNet development

Around 60 tractors have pulled up in front of state parliament on Tuesday afternoon as part of a protest to the development of AusNet towers.
The Australian energy company is building a 190 kilometre high-voltage transmission line in Melbourne’s west, but farming communities under the proposed route say it’s not safe.
“Instead of using archaic technology, use new technology – have them underground where they’re safer,” Organiser of the Stop AusNet’s Towers Protest, Cate Lancashire told Tom Elliott on 3AW Drive.
“They’re creating less impact on our food bowl, where we grow lots of potatoes lots of crop etc.
“We are the food bowl for Melbourne and Victoria.”
A spokesperson for AusNet said farming operations will be safe to continue under the towers.
“It is safe for landholders to continue their farming operations under an overhead transmission line, including cropping and irrigated horticulture, which we confirmed last year after fast-tracking a study into land and machinery use along the line.”
Press PLAY below to hear more from Cate Lancashire below