Major delays expected in Melbourne CBD as tractors parked outside Parliament House
Melbourne commuters are being warned of major delays this afternoon as a convoy of slow-moving tractors attend and leave a protest in the CBD.
The action is part of the 'Stop Labor's Towers' campaign, in which regional Victorian farmers are rallying against new transmission lines in the state's west.
Hundreds of farmers are expected to attend the protest outside Parliament House between midday and 3.30pm.
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Farmers have driven tractors into Melbourne CBD as part of a protest. Nine
Tractors have been seen among traffic in Melbourne. Nine
The tractors arrived in the CBD after travelling in convoy from Ballan, with the drivers travelling at 40km/h across the busy Westgate Freeway.
The state's peak farming body Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has spoken in support of the action.
"The Andrews government has failed to adequately plan for the transition to renewable energy and it's completely unacceptable that farmers and our regional communities are set to pay the price," VFF president Emma Germano said.
"Farmers and regional communities have been taken for a ride since these projects were announced and I'm not surprised that frustration is leading directly to Spring Street."
"It's the clear view of the VFF that an immediate stop to all activities related to the planning and construction of the Western Renewables Link and VNI-West transmission projects must be made."
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