MORE than 100 angry local farmers hijacked the official launch of the $100 million Goulburn to Lake Eppalock pipeline at Colbinabbin this afternoon.
Only minutes before Premier John Brumby and Liberal Party Senator Michael Ronaldson pressed the button to start the pumps, tractors, trucks and dust-blown utes converged on the pump station, blocking all exits.
Mr Brumby, local politicians, a large media contingent and contractors were stuck inside the facility for more than an hour after the ceremony ended.
During that time, Mr Brumby spoke to the angry mob, who were protesting against the planned pipeline from the same system to Melbourne.
Mr Brumby answered questions from the vocal group, despite calls such as ‘Is that Brumby or is it Hitler?’
After negotiations that involved the media and a vote from the farmers, two large John Deere tractors were moved and Mr Brumby was allowed to be moved.
The event marred what otherwise was a red-letter day for Bendigo.
Despite a little bit of political argy bargy between the Liberal and Labor parties over who organised the protestors, the launch saw water flow to Bendigo from the large Goulburn system for the first time in its history.
For a full wrap of the day’s events, see the next edition of the Bendigo Weekly.
To view a video on today’s sensational protest, keep an eye on www.bendigoweekly.com.au
