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Dr Michael Taylor, President of the Noosa Residents & Rate Payers Association supporting PAGE in it’s campaign.

26 October 2008

Dear Graham

As discussed with members of the Noosa Residents and Ratepayers Association (NRRA) Committee, following the NRRA meeting on 14 August, I am writing to support PAGE in its campaign against Powerlink’s Eerwah Vale high voltage transmission line project.

This support is on the basis that:

- Powerlink’s consultation processes have been inadequate

- The economic justification for the project has not been made clear but seems to depend on electricity growth projections of 4% per annum. This despite net population growth of less than 1% in the former Noosa Shire in recent years, which raises the issue of where the load growth is to be located. The SCRC Mayor has stated that he would like to see net population growth of 2% for the Sunshine Coast Region

- 4% compound growth in electricity demand (presumably over the very long lifetime of a transmission line) therefore implies that electricity consumption per capita will increase at a compound growth of 2% or more for many years. This despite Commonwealth, State and local government policies to reduce per capita consumption to mitigate climate change – and save consumers money

- Powerlink is a monopoly owned by the Queensland Government. Thus it can make investments without being exposed to the chill winds of competition – although the Government would not want to see its dividends reduced due to premature, oversized or simply unnecessary construction of this line

- As a Government-owned monopoly, Powerlink also has a responsibility not to ride roughshod over the citizens of Queensland. The large transmission towers and lines involved in the proposal would have a major detrimental impact on the lives of many people and the environment.

Yours sincerely

Dr Michael Taylor
President
NRRA