Western Renewables Link protest turns ugly as farmers accuse representatives of 'running into bushes'

Nearly 100 farmers met in Dean, north of Ballarat, on Tuesday to rally against the proposed Western Renewables Link. (ABC Rural: Jane McNaughton)

A protest against a major energy transmission proposed for Central Victoria turned ugly on Tuesday afternoon when nearly 100 farmers rallied with tractors against the controversial Western Renewables Link (WRL).

Farmers were waiting outside a meeting scheduled at the Dean Recreation Reserve, north of Ballarat, between proprietor of the project AusNet Services, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and local stakeholder groups.