saveeumundi.org

Welcome to PAGE NEWSLETTER and an extended welcome to new PAGE members.

The Powerlines Action Group Eumundi (P.A.G.E.) strategy to Powerlink’s long term threat to the Sunshine Coast, is to engage with the State Government and its agencies to provide a community endorsed plan for more sustainable, environmentally and visually acceptable alternatives.

Recent PAGE Public Community Meeting

PAGE held its 4th community meeting on the 29 March. PAGE would like to thank all those who attended and
helped with the preparation. In attendance were nearly 70 community members including David Gibson, Member for Gympie. Shadow Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Sunshine Coast Regional Councillors Vivienne Griffin and Paul Tatton plus media representatives WIN News and Eumundi Green community newspaper.

Next PAGE Meeting:

4pm, Saturday 17 May 2008 at the CWA Hall, Memorial Drive in Eumundi

We welcome all landholders and interested parties to this meeting. We will be discussing:
• the final Terms of Reference (ToR) – assuming they have been released,
• Powerlink to provide feedback on the PAGE ToR submission,(no response at the time of publication).
• the impact of the continuation of the line to Palmwoods and beyond,
• the impacts on real estate values. A guest Real Estate Agent will discuss devaluations.
• Jim Cooney, guest speaker, will talk about living with the existing Powerlink easement.

If you’d like to know more about life with Powerlink this is one you shouldn’t miss? A large number of people are expected to attend this meeting and it is suggested that you arrive early so that the meeting can start on time.

Light refreshments will be served after the meeting. Please note there are no child minding facilities at this venue.

Powerlink’s Terms of Reference Feedback

Powerlink have refused PAGE’s counter offer of a feedback meeting with the PAGE membership saying that “it could get out of hand” and raising concerns over Powerlink staff’s personal safety. When asked to substantiate the alleged instances causing this security perception, Powerlink declined to substantiate their comments. PAGE has subsequently invited Powerlink to attend the next public meeting where PAGE has agreed to organise the local police to allay Powerlink’s unsubstantiated concerns, however Powerlink had not responded by the requested date.

Powerlink are in effect refusing to meet with the community members most impacted by this proposal. As at the date of the Newsletter, PAGE and the community are still waiting for the final ToR and written feedback on the Terms of Reference.

Powerlink’s Property Access Request

PAGE recommends that landholders ensure that they are happy with the access provisions, especially regarding the period of access notice required to be provided by Powerlink, the weed hygiene requirements for your particular circumstances and the legal implications for landholders when Powerlink or their agents are carrying out their work on your property. Do not feel unduly pressured into signing a document that you are either not comfortable with from a legal perspective or that you do not understand. Talk to your legal advisor, and your neighbours, who are facing the same issues and see what they have agreed or are still discussing with Powerlink.

Public Letter Writing Campaign

Significant exposure to Powerlink’s intrusion has been raised by the many community letters sent to the
newspapers. Remember your say counts! David Gibson has suggested that every PAGE member also write to his office with their concerns about the proposed transmission lines. His contact details are: PO Box 1277 Gympie QLD, 4570, or email gympie@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Many of the local papers and magazines have invited us to write more letters and comments for publication.

The more letters published, the more media interest there will be. Writing letters to the media and your politicians helps to put pressure on Powerlink and assists the State Government to see the significant level of community concern over this project. It will also encourage Powerlink to look at acceptable alternatives rather than the ‘unsustainable’ proposal being imposing on us now.

The media and your politicians want to hear from us, so now is the time to express ourselves, our feelings, our thoughts and our suggestions. If you need some help with writing letters, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
• A compilation of media and newspaper articles can now be viewed on the PAGE website
• Visit the PAGE website and find a comprehensive list of contacts you can write to
(www.saveeumundi.org/contact.htm).

Reports on PAGE activities

Thank you to all those who have been hosting the weekly PAGE meetings. A good number of PAGE members and supporters have been busy working behind the scenes. Regular committee meetings ensure integrity and strength within the organisation. If you would like to come to a PAGE committee meeting write to contact@saveeumundi.org and information on venues and dates will be provided.

Fundraising & donations

Thank you to all of our very generous donors, Do you have something to donate? A few hours of your time a
week, legal input, stationary supplies, all donations are welcome .Everyone likes a raffle. Especially when great items are on offer. At the moment there are a few impressive raffles on the go. Tickets will be available at the next public meeting. Can you donate a prize of interest? Please email us.

Eerwah Vale and Ridgewood Wildlife Corridor – fauna and flora watch

Annette House has been focusing on the Environmental aspects of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and Terms of Reference (ToR) for several months. Recently Annette sent out an invitation to all of us in this area to look closely at the fauna and flora in this area. So far she has received some impressive responses. We live in a unique area where many rare and endangered species live. This is an amazing wildlife corridor and world renowned scientists are acknowledging this as more sightings are being made. They are keenly following up on reported sightings.

Koala Foundation

Don’t forget the important meeting with the CEO of the Koala Foundation on the 15th May at 2.30pm. All are
welcome. Email us at contact@saveeumundi.org for venue details.

Contact

Graham Smith, Coordinator
Powerlines Action Group Eumundi (PAGE)
Web: www.saveeumundi.org
Email: contact@saveeumundi.org
Phone: 07 5447 0086
Mobile: 0415 621 060
Mail: PO Box 950, Cooroy, Q 4563