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Powerlines Action Group Eumundi (PAGE) had a long meeting with the Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy, Mr Geoff Wilson, in Brisbane on August 26, following months of requests and submissions. The meeting discussed the community’s concerns over Powerlink’s proposed Eerwah Vale powerline in the Noosa Hinterland.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Mines and Energy, Mr Geoff Wilson, Mr. Dan Hunt, Director General of his Department, four senior public servants, community representatives from PAGE and Mr Peter Wellington, State member for Nicklin.

The coordinator of PAGE, Mr Graham Smith said “The proposed Woolooga to Eerwah Vale transmission line is at odds with the way in which future energy supply and demand needs to be managed on the Sunshine Coast in a carbon constrained world”.

Dr John Cronin, one of the community representatives said “This power line project was planned before sustainability and climate change were key concerns for the community.” It was agreed that projects planned in a pre-Garnaut Report world may need to be revisited in the light of new circumstances and policy responses.

The Minister agreed to review with an open mind any alternative solutions to the Powerlink proposal from the community.

Mr Graham Smith said “The challenge for the community is to deliver viable alternatives – this is a huge ask. We’ll need strong local support to respond to this challenge.”

“Powerlink’s refusal to provide information to the community is hampering the development of the feasible and coherent distributed energy alternatives discussed with the Minister. The Minister has promised to take up with Powerlink the reasons for withholding information from the community during the consultation process.”

Mr Peter Wellington, independent State MP for Nicklin, said “The Minister appeared keen to be seen to be listening to the community.” Mr Wellington went on to say “The election of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council on a sustainable ticket is of great significance and it is important to translate the strong Council support for PAGE into action on the proposed alternatives.”

The co-coordinator of PAGE, Graham Smith, said “We are taking Minister Wilson at face value and hope his “open mind” on the issue is the start of a genuine dialogue that is motivated by the Bligh Government’s desire to actually show leadership, and work with the community and Council to achieve a positive clean energy outcome for the Sunshine Coast.” Mr. Smith added that “PAGE are also meeting with Mr. David Gibson, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Environment, Climate Change and Clean Energy Strategy next week to discuss the Liberal National Party’s policy position relating to PAGE’s concerns on this project.”

The issue of electro magnetic fields from power lines and their health implications was also raised in the meeting. It was re-iterated to the Minister that this was a serious community concern and one which also affected the value and saleability of businesses and properties in the area.

PAGE will be requesting a meeting with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to pursue the development of distributed energy solutions on the Sunshine Coast in conjunction with interested stakeholders.

Minister Wilson has agreed to have another meeting with PAGE representatives.