It is imperative that all PAGE members and interested community members attend this meeting, showing support for the alternatives and sending a message to the State Government that this is a community ready to be counted and saying loud and clear that a new approach to energy is demanded on the Sunshine Coast.

The meeting agenda

• PAGE’s recent meetings with Minister for Mines and Energy & the opposition leader Mr. L. Springborg
• PAGE sponsored energy planning meeting with Energex, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Sanctuary Energy and other energy professionals
• The personal health aspects with Ms. Sue Agnew
• Alternative proposal by Sanctuary Energy Chief Operating Officer Mr. Alex Braisier
• Official AGM business including the coordinator’s report, treasurer’s report & the election of office bearers
• Questions & Answers
• Raffle draw – Meeting close

After the meeting we will be holding a BBQ to provide some eats, with tea and coffee. Get to talk in more detail to the guests, committee members and other affected residents. 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. Please note there are no child minding facilities at this venue.
Meeting with Minister Wilson
On the 23rd of August, representatives of PAGE met with the Minister Mr Geoff Wilson, after 5 months of waiting. Mr. Wilson and five of his staff were present. Our focus was on the opportunity for sustainable energy to be given higher priority. Mr. Wilson agreed that he would seriously look at any commercially viable alternative. This is in progress, with Sanctuary Energy keen to help the community move a green energy solution forward, here on the Coast. Shortly, as the initial position paper is completed, we will be requesting another meeting with the Minister in support of the alternatives.

Also clearly pointed out was our dismay and dissatisfaction with the totally deficient and one-sided Powerlink “consultation” process.
Meeting with Lawrence Springborg, Leader of the Opposition
PAGE recently met with Lawrence Springborg, Jeff Seeney and David Gibson of the LNP to discuss and seek support from the LNP for the alternatives to the State Government’s proposal. The LNP were supportive of the proposals put forward by PAGE.

Mr. Gibson said “The LNP’s vision is to make Queensland the renewable energy Capital of Australia and we look forward to receiving further information from PAGE,” Mr Springborg said “the project being put forward by PAGE underlined the Sunshine Coast community’s interest in being part of the solution to the carbon/energy challenges facing Australia and indeed the world. Queensland is blessed with enormous opportunities for developing a world-leading renewable energy industry. What’s lacking at moment is a State government that’s prepared to do more than launch small-scale pilot projects for solar,” Mr Gibson added that “the LNP was very pleased to hear from the PAGE Group and to discuss its innovative concept for solar thermal power on the Sunshine Coast.”

PAGE raised the issue of the inadequate community consultation and suggested changes be made to the consultation processes employed. Mr. Springborg agreed that the “consultation process was a sham.”

PAGE Activities
PAGE has conducted many lobby meetings with community representatives including Mr. David Gibson, State MP for Gympie, Mr. Peter Wellington, State MP for Nicklin, Cllrs. Vivien Griffin, Keryn Jones & Lew Brennan, Federal Senator Claire Moore and others.

PAGE facilitated an energy planning meeting in September between SCRC Councillors & staff, Energex, Sanctuary Energy, PAGE, the EPA and other interested energy professionals. The purpose was to determine the energy requirements of the Sunshine Coast and acceptable “bankable” solutions, with Sanctuary Energy moving forward with a position paper for a solar thermal plant and demand reduction measures here on the Sunshine Coast. This has the potential to provide clean energy, local jobs and a secure energy supply.
PAGE organised and participated in the GET-UP! climate change torch relay with the help of the local community and Noosa District State High School students.

PAGE has created significant local media coverage, which can be viewed at the comprehensive website www.saveeumundi.org and is continuing to deliver high quality information via this medium.
PAGE is available to meet with landholders to discuss their issues and have conducted several on site meetings when landowners have been requested to meet with Powerlink. We are here to support the community and welcome feedback and information from affected community members.
We have been holding a series of fund raising and community awareness days in Cooroy, Noosa, Belli Park and other locations talking to community members, completing petitions, making presentations and gathering support from groups such as the Noosa Parks Association and the Noosa Residents and

Ratepayers Association.
PAGE has joined the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) and attended a meeting between SCEC and Parsons Brinkerhoff (Powerlink’s paid environmental consultants). We
provided SCEC with our on the ground knowledge of the EIS and the poor consultation process undertaken to date. At the meeting PB reluctantly admitted that they had located some EPBC listed species and that they would be referring the project to the Federal Government. They refused, however to reveal what they had found or where they had found it!

At the time of writing, we note that the draft EIS is still yet to be released, 6 months after the original scheduled date. It is expected that this document, like last year’s terms of reference will be released for comment over the Christmas and school holiday period. A time of year designed to make it difficult for adequate community input to a document that is expected to be in excess of 500 pages.

Show your support for PAGE and help increase public awareness of our campaign by participating in the Christmas in Cooroy street parade on 6th Dec, 4:00pm. PAGE is entering a float and we require as many people as possible to walk alongside the float to demonstrate to the community the wide public support for our cause. Let’s display a united front and community spirit at this festive Christmas celebration!

Fundraising, donations and thanks
PAGE will continue to conduct fund raising activities in the coming months, including raffles, sausage sizzles and more. Your support for these activities is needed, to ensure that we can continue to effectively represent your concerns to the State Government and PL / PB.

We would like to thank all of our willing volunteers & supporters who put in lots of time and effort at fundraising events, meetings, researching, writing and reporting from and on behalf of PAGE and the community – please think about what you can do to assist in the campaign to save the place you live.
We also greatly appreciate the support of our local representatives at state and local government level, Peter Wellington, Dave Gibson, Vivien Griffin, Keryn Jones, Paul Tatton & Lew Brennan.

A big thank you to all of the people and organisations who have donated funds, prizes and supplies in helping to make the campaign as successful as it has been to date.

What you can do
It takes enormous effort and dedication to make a campaign like this happen and PAGE needs your help. You can help by:

• If you do nothing else get to the next meeting on 29/11/08
• Volunteering at a sausage sizzle or fund raising event – contact Evelyn 5442 8990
• Read and make a submission on the draft EIS
• Join PAGE / Make a donation
• Write / email Anna Bligh and her Ministers
• Write to the local papers / call local radio to have your voice heard in this election year
• Participate by walking alongside the PAGE float at the Christmas in Cooroy Parade on 6th Dec

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

Next PAGE Meeting: 4pm, Saturday 26 July 2008 at the CWA Hall, Memorial Drive in Eumundi

We welcome all landholders and interested parties to this meeting. We will be discussing:

• PAGE’s recent meeting with Powerlink/ Parsons Brinckerhoff (PL/PB)
• Update of activities since the last meeting
• Logging activity in the area of the current easement
• The bigger picture – Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Campaigning and people – Traveston Dam representative

If you’d like to know more about Powerlink’s approach to consultation 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 “Consultation” Process
Representatives of PAGE met with Powerlink before the Minister would agree to meet with us to discuss the communities concerns over this unsustainable project. The meeting was held on 14 July and PAGE achieved the goal of Powerlink agreeing that there are concerns that only the Minister can answer. These relate to the confused and contradictory policy messages coming from Government, Powerlink’s “consultation” approach, attitude to this community, lack of information and the Ministers disappointing response to community concerns. Minister Wilson, has finally after 5 months agreed to meet with PAGE. In addition a detailed analysis of the PL/PB submission response has been completed and is available on the website. It was also made crystal clear to PL/PB that the community does not want this infrastructure, considers it ill conceived and takes great exception to PL/PB’s attitude to the community as demonstrated by the PL CEO and their continuing refusal to provide information to the community.

The Recent Logging Activity
State Government recently moved into Cooroy West State Forest adjacent to Top Forestry Road and the existing Powerlink corridor and commenced logging, with little consultation with the local community – does that sound familiar? There are endangered species and critical koala habitat in the area designated for logging, that are important for the environmental impact study for the PL/PB project, that are in danger of being adversely impacted. Thanks to swift and dedicated action by the community, Peter Wellington was alerted to the issue and at a meeting with Premier Bligh, succeeded in obtaining a temporary halt to the logging, pending more investigation – watch this space and the media for more updates.

PL / PB on Your Property
Powerlink’s paid consultant’s Parsons Brinckerhoff have been carrying out limited environmental surveys over the past two months. PAGE recommends that landowners contact Powerlink and request information regarding the work carried out. This should include:

• Date/time of notification
• Person who contacted you. PB or PL
• Date/time of entry
• Personal entering property. Names if wish
• Entry point
• Ask about both Powerlink and PB accessing your property
• What did they do on your property?
• Did they take or leave things on property.

This will enable you to determine if Powerlink / PB have followed the notice protocols and stayed within the area of concern. If there have been any breeches of the notice requirements please contact PAGE with the details, for future use.

Write to Premier Bligh
”I always look forward to hearing from Queenslanders about how we can make our great state even better. I welcome your ideas and suggestions and encourage you to let my Government know about any concerns or questions you have and about the issues that matter to you.” Anna Bligh MP Premier of Queensland.
Email the Premier: ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.au OR Write to the Premier: PO Box 15185 City East Queensland 4002
PAGE encourages everyone to do as the Premier has asked. Provide your name, email address (essential for a reply) and, if applicable, your organisation and your position. State the topic you’re writing about (for example, ‘climate change’, ‘environment’, ‘transmission lines & sub-stations’, or any other topic that affects you) in the subject of your email. If you’re giving general feedback, you can use this as your subject heading. If you would like a response by letter, also include your postal address. 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. Visit the PAGE website and find a comprehensive list of other contacts you can write to.

Reports on PAGE activities and successes
We are informed that the draft EIS has been likely delayed until October 2008. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has officially appointed Raul Weychardt as the officer responsible for completing Council’s EIS submission. PAGE will be liaising with Raul in the coming months to ensure that the communities concerns are clearly represented. Media has been consistently supportive, with a large number of articles, letters and editorial pieces appearing over the last two months in local media. Check out the media section of the website for full details and keep those letters going to politicians and the media.

Fundraising, donations and thanks
Thank you to all of our very generous donors, PAGE will be conducting fund raising activities in the coming months, including raffles, sausage sizzles and more. Please support these activities to ensure that we can continue to effectively represent your concerns to the State Government and PL / PB. Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly on your behalf – please think about what you can do to assist in the campaign to save the place you live. Thanks also to Peter Wellington, who has shown great passion and continuing empathy with the community in this fight to have our concerns heard by State Government.

Eerwah Vale and Ridgewood Wildlife Corridor – fauna and flora watch
Recently Annette House 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. If you see anything that is rare or unusual let us know as soon as you can. 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. Annette has been busy with the Richmond Birdwing butterfly, the vines that they need to survive and the resident population of possum gliders. For more information see the website for a full description and write-up.

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