saveeumundi.org

The following letter was published in the Noosa News, 7 April 2009.

Dear Letter to the Editor,

Great to hear that our Noosa and hinterland is being acknowledged for the significance that attracts tourists to this special area. Tourists bring millions of dollars into the area. Dollars which can be used to maintain the uniqueness and health of our Sunshine Coast.

The Noosa Biosphere ranges from the internationally renowned surfing points in the Noosa National Park where annual surfing competitions are held and waterways that meander through exquisite lake systems that filter into the mysterious Everglades……and further west we find the tranquil valley of Eerwah, where tourist route 21 runs parallel to Mt Eerwah and where the upper reaches of the Maroochy River is born from the lush springs which feeds this fertile valley.

Can anyone please explain why Powerlink have proposed a 50acre sub-station in our Noosa Biosphere just 300metres from Eumundi, in a valley that is recognised internationally as one of the most unique and beautiful valleys in Australia?

And it does not stop there. The high voltage transmission line proposed will pass through a significant flora and fauna corridor which is nestled between the potential World Heritage listed Tuchekoi Conservation Park at Ridgewood and the Mt Eerwah Conservation Park. Deforestation will occur, destroying habitat that is necessary for the ongoing proliferation of healthy koalas, Richmond Birdwing Butterflies, Northern Quoll, to name a few, and be replaced by ugly 275,000kv high voltage transmission lines that are intended to ravage the countryside before feeding the coal fired based 50acre sub-station close to Eumundi.

From the sub-station Powerlink and Energex have planned further compulsory resumption of our unique Noosa Biosphere, by sending antiquated infrastructure zig-zagging throughout the Sunshine Coast, not only pristine areas but areas where many people live. Yes, high voltage transmission lines are planned to come near you.

Noosa and Eumundi will no longer be in the top 100 tourist attractions if this proposal goes ahead, the whole area may in fact become associated with the Gladstone area as one of the ugliest and most polluted industrial areas of Queensland.

Sanctuary Energy have submitted a proven cost effective sustainable energy alternative which is one option that will enhance our Noosa Biosphere. In fact, what a wonderful way to draw more friendly tourists to the area and by promoting our Sunshine Coast and hinterland as being the first sustainable energy area in the whole of Queensland, we would be supporting our healthy lifestyle and our precious Earth by saving this magical area from more unnecessary pollution from fossil fuels.

We need to nourish areas like this and we need to maintain the Noosa Biosphere before it is too late. Our Noosa and hinterland is under extreme threat of dangerous industrialisation.

I wonder how many tourists visit Gladstone?

Platypus
Ridgewood