Council & Politics
30 March, 2026
Council heckled in energy project debate
Community members attended the council’s ordinary meeting last week to remind councillors of the effects projects like VNI West would have on their families and friends.
BULOKE Shire councillors have assured the public attending their latest meeting that accepting a plan does not equal endorsement of energy projects.
Community members attended the council’s ordinary meeting last week to remind councillors of the effects projects like VNI West would have on their families and friends.
Two speakers were invited to state their cases for councillors to consider when they discussed the matter of endorsing the Resource Ready: North-Western Victoria Energy and Mining Impact and Readiness Strategy.
“In 2025, an independent local group of volunteers known as Farms for Food released the results of a national renewable survey,”
“The vast majority of 1800 responses were not in favour of renewables or associated transmission proposals. 90 per cent were opposed to renewables on farmland.
“A lot of these respondents were your rate payers. Are you going to fight for the 90 per cent?
“Or are you just going to listen to vested interests and get whatever money comes your way?”
As Cr Alan Getley began to speak to the motion of supporting the plan, the crowd attempted to argue, mayor Graeme Milne requested councillors be allowed to speak.
Other ouncillors backed Cr Getley and the motion, assuring all that this strategy was a plan that would help move forward.
“I think we all need to keep in mind that we need a sensible strategy to prioritise our preparedness and that’s in line with our responsibilities in relation to the governance of our roles as councillors,” deputy mayor Bernadette Hogan said.
“We don’t endorse or support or oppose any particular project, but we need a platform to be able to discuss it.”
All councillors voted to endorse the plan.
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