saveeumundi.org

Whilst appreciating Powerlink has a large number of transmission line acquisition projects, it nevertheless is now approaching 12 months since your site visit to Cooroy on 12 July 2010 as part of Powerlink’s CID application process to the above named project.

The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the alternative proposal which P.A.G.E. has submitted to Parsons Brinkerhoff (PB) and Powerlink Qld. The P.A.G.E. proposal not only minimises the impact both environmentally and socially, but is significantly cheaper by $70.2m.

This ‘common sense’ approach is endorsed by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve governance board. The Noosa Biosphere is Queensland’s first Man and Biosphere Reserve and is severely impacted by Powerlink’s proposal. Noosa Biosphere joins PAGE in asking that you appoint an independent party to examine all alternatives as a matter of urgency.

ABC Queensland’s Stateline program featured PAGE’s fight against the destruction of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland environment. The video can be found at this link and the transcript is copied below for your information.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/06/18/2931239.htm
Transcript
Kathy McLeish reports property owners fear for their livelihoods.
JESSICA van VONDEREN: Queensland is grappling with unprecedented growth. And one of [...]

Koala populations outside surveyed areas are at greater risk of extinction due to negligence, say a group of Sunshine Coast residents, who have received the support of the Australian Koala Foundation.
The warning follows the State Government’s release of shocking survey results on Saturday (23 May) which show that koala numbers in an outer Brisbane region [...]

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has flagged regulatory reforms, more action by state-owned energy utilities and a push to prepare ‘clean energy plans’ for major residential and commercial developments as part of a plan to generate 2,635MW from clean energy by 2020.
In 2008, renewable energy accounted for about 6% (745MW) of Queensland’s total installed generation capacity, [...]

Energy conservation and demand management is “an industry imperative”, Terry McConnell of Queensland electricity distributor Energex told a Sydney energy efficiency seminar on Friday.
“I don’t believe that we as an industry can continue to stand by and spend money at the rate we are doing to build poles and wires that are not being used [...]

PAGE has asked the Bligh Government for “a clear statement that the Sunshine Coast’s future energy needs be delivered via renewable energy and demand management providing the Bligh Government with a clear opportunity to show it is serious in tackling energy provision in an environmentally responsible manner – the last week of this election gives [...]

The Powerlink Proposal
The Project entails construction, operation, and maintenance of a 275 kV double circuit transmission line and substation in order to provide high voltage reinforcement of the northern Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.  Powerlink proposes to commence construction in 2012 if their proposal is approved.
One Feasible Alternative
The load forecasts predict an estimated a deficit [...]

The map below is from the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008 – 26. It shows the proposed new powerlines and easements that are planned by Powerlink (transmission) and Energex (distribution) in the Northern section of the Sunshine Coast. Click on the image to get the full picture.

PAGE recommends that you investigate with [...]

Below is an email sent on 3 March from PAGE to Stuart Topp (Powerlink) on Powerlink’s legal basis for accessing the forcibly acquired easement over private property.
Stuart,
I have been asked by a number of PAGE members to request information be included within the upcoming draft EIS relating to the legal basis upon which Powerlink is [...]