Newsletter #23 - Where’s Wally
September 2025
There has been a huge amount going on in the world over the last few weeks. None of it has been particularly uplifting. It seems there are nightly stories of political unrest on the news both at home in Australia and overseas. Sadly this email will probably continue that theme.
So if you are looking for a laugh you should probably stop reading this email and check out Albo’s wardrobe malfunction at the recent Pacific Islands Forum .. See if you can spot the Wally.
Can you spot the Wally?
Here’s a quick update of what’s been going on:
Letter to Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)- The IGCC is the representative body formed by 102 superannuation and investment funds.
We received a very UNDERWHELMING response from the IGCC. The response came 10 minutes after the Daily Telegraph contacted them for a comment on the letter we had sent the IGCC 3 weeks earlier..Sadly It takes the fear of a journalist on your case to get a response these days.
Amazingly, the CEO had the nerve to tell us about how vulnerable farmers are to the impacts of climate change although she then went on to admit that there is room for improvement for earning “Genuine” social license.. Way to go Rebecca! While it’s understandable that someone who is paid to promote climate change transition would not actually admit to having an active role in destroying farming communities, it is also crystal clear that no one that lives in a city really cares about rural Australia. It appears it’s very easy to save the world when it doesn’t directly impact your own life.
We will respond to the letter and now start stage 2 of the campaign to contact the 102 member funds of the IGCC to get them to explain how they ensure their investments fit within their Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria. Stay tuned !
Please click
this LINK if you are interested in the IGCC response
MEDIA
2SM interview with Chris Smith 11 September . Starts at the 35 minute mark
Chaffey Dam HVTL Changes- We have followed up with EnergyCo on this matter. There has been no further communication from EnergyCo since the meeting on May 8 to inform us that the line would be moved. This is UNACCEPTABLE and proves that EC is not only negligent in fulfilling their responsibilities to the community but inept. Penny Sharpe is trying to give EC even more power to do as they wish to speed up the energy transition. It is a very sad indictment about the current direction of politics in this country if Penny gets her way.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)- VA has been in contact with Umwelt (consultant preparing the SIA for EC) . We have offered to introduce our members to them for face to face meetings. We may be calling upon you at some stage in the near future if our offer is taken up.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Is due to be released in Q4 2025 .
Hunter Transmission Project - Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released . Submissions are now open. We would encourage you to have a look at this EIS as ours will likely be similar. Our Friends at Impacted by Hunter Transmission have put a web page together showing how to submit an objection to the project. It would be great if we could help them out and make submissions.
NEREZ generation and storage consultation. EC recently released a consultation paper for the NEREZ (LINK if interested) .
VA submitted a response - LINK. One of our many issues with this consultation paper is that you would need to be an electrical engineer to understand many of the terms in the paper. It is ridiculous that EC puts out a paper to the community asking for consultation if we cannot understand the contents. It’s just one more example of how this company has no respect for the communities they are operating in and what they are doing to them.
AGM - 24 September 2025 at Nemingha Tavern 6pm - come along and get an update on our first year of objection and what you can expect in year 2 . It’s also a good opportunity to have a meal and catch up .
MEDIA
LANDLINE starts at the 20 min mark . Victorian Farmers protesting about Renewables projects. We have the exact same issues in NSW. The bush is being used by city based politicians to “Greenmail” themselves into power. We must use every opportunity to try to convince city voters that what they are doing is destroying rural Australia and will ultimately cost them a lot more than a clear conscience.
We are stronger together!
Tim and the team at Valley Alliance