Confused residents in a pipe plan pickle

By Melissa Meehan
DIXONS Creek residents have been left scratching their heads after the release of the preferred route of the pipeline has shed no light on how it will affect their properties.
While the proposed route of the pipeline has angered many residents because it cuts through their paddocks and wineries, Dixons Creek residents still do not know where the pipeline will lie.
The proposed pipeline route through Dixons Creek and surrounding areas has not been detailed in the report.
Early last week the Government released the report along with the preferred route of the pipeline and has since invited residents to comment on the route.
Minister for Planning Justin Madden said the Sugarloaf pipeline was an integral part of the Brumby Government’s plan to secure water supplies for the state.
“I encourage anyone with a view on this project to make a submission on the report,” Mr Madden said.
Landowner Graeme Miller, from Graeme Miller Winery, said that although the Melba Highway has been given as a preferred route he did not know which side of the road the pipeline would go on.
“It still isn’t finalised, we still don’t know a great deal more than before, except that this is the way they would prefer to come,” Mr Miller said.
Frustrated farmer Dianne Towt said that her experience with government representatives over the proposal was insufficient.
“It’s like they are playing ping pong with you,” Mrs Towt said.
Resident Michelle Harper said that the consultation process meant nothing to the residents of Dixons Creek.
“It seems like a script of Yes Minister.
“We do not have a preferred route available to us, yet we only have until the 18 of March to lodge a written statement of the pipeline impact on us.
“It is hard for people to note that impact if we do not know where it is going,” Michelle Harper said.
“Some other landowners have a dotted line, we do not even have a dotted line to know how our properties will be affected.
“We have not been listened to, we have not been consulted, despite the statements in the project impact assessment to the project.”
Project director Rod Clifford said that property owners are expected to receive letters in the coming week explaining whether their properties are within the preferred or non preferred corridors.
“These letters explain the current status of properties and build on the extensive communications already undertaken with property owners throughout the region as the investigation corridors originally announced have been reduced down to the preferred corridors currently under consideration,” Mr Clifford said.