PROTESTORS campaigning against the construction of the North-South Pipeline have claimed a minor victory in their battle against the Victorian Government.
A small group of protestors gathered today at the property on Campbell McLeish, 84, on the Melba Highway, in a bid to prevent surveyors entering the farmland.
Mr McLeish had been advised by the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance that surveyors would enter his property at 10.30am and a small group of protestor, waving anti-pipeline placards, had gathered to stop them.
However, the surveyors for the 75 GL pipe from the Goulburn to Melbourne failed to show.
Mr McLeish's niece, Deb Bertalli, who was arrested last month when she tried to stop Alliance employees entering her property, said the no-show was a "minor victory."
"They have come past and seen people here, but as soon as we turn our backs, they will turn up," Ms Bertalli said.
"We have had a victory becuase we have kept them off."
She said a member of the Alliance had left a message on Mr McLeish's answering machine some time after 10am, advising him that they would not be attending his property.
Ms Bertalli said she was yet to receive summons to appear in court in relation to her arrest in September.
"I want them to charge me - bring it on," she said.
Mr McLeish, a war vetern whose family has lived in the area since the mid-1800s, said he opposed the pipeline because he did not believe there were enough reserves in the Goulburn River to send 75 GL to Melbourne.
The Government said the 75 GL would come from savings generated through a $1 billion upgrade of Victoria's northern irrigation regions.
But Mr McLeish said any spare water should go north to the Murray River.
"What is the use in building this pipe if we only use it when there's no water in Melbourne," Mr McLeish said.
"If there's no water in Melbourne then there's no water in Eildon."
Mr McLeish said if pushed he would show his fighting spirit.
"If you live in a metro area, it would be like someone coming in and digging your back yard up," he said.
Mr McLeish said he "had more guts than (Premier John) Brumby" and thought he would cope if he was arrested and jailed if "the tucker was alright."
Federal Liberal Member for McEwen Fran Bailey was greeted by the group with a loud "Hi Fran".
With an arm around Mr Campbell, Ms Bailey said there were positive moves in the Federal Senate to "stop Brumby in his tracks."
However, she said she could not reveal any details of the Senate amendments.
Ms Bailey said protests would continue at properties along the Melba highway.
"People like Campbell fought for this country that's built on the spirit of commitment and co-operation and what Mr Brumby is doing is disgraceful."
