The push for the undergrounding of power lines in Apollo Bay is progressing with community member and owner of Apollo Bay Bakery, Sally Cannon, organising a petition to present to Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan.
Mrs Cannon said that with strong community support demonstrated via the petition, Mr Tehan would then advocate strongly for power lines in not only Apollo Bay but more broadly in rural and regional Victoria to be placed underground.
With the location of Apollo Bay and the Otway National Park and the economy is driven largely by tourism, the importance of a secure and reliable power network is crucial, said Mrs Cannon.
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, congratulated Mrs Cannon and the Apollo Bay community on the development of the petition and had heard first-hand the cost and frustration supply interruptions caused both business and community members.
Mr Tehan said he fully supported their petition and looked forward to meeting with the community when the petition is presented to him.
The petition calls on the House to ensure that all new cabling in rural and regional areas is installed underground as the default and commit to a program of undergrounding current powerlines with priority given to areas designated as bushfire-prone areas is undertaken.
Members of the community can sign the petition at the Apollo Bay Bakery or click here.