PAGE meets the minister
1 September 2008
It took seven months and several letters, but finally their voices were heard.
The Powerlines Action Group Eumundi met with the Queensland minister for mines and energy Geoff Wilson, in Brisbane last week, to discuss their concerns about Powerlink’s proposed Eerwah Vale powerline.
About 263 residents would be affected if the powerline was built, with many concerned about potential health risks and devaluation on their homes.
PAGE coordinator Graham Smith said the group first wrote to the minister in February to request a meeting.
“The department was not particularly responsive,” he said.
“We took a positive attitude to meeting the minister and we’re treating his comments with an open mind.”
The minister said if the community put forward alternative suggestions to the Powerlink proposal, he would review them with an open mind.
Mr Smith said it would be a huge task for the community to put forward viable alternatives.
Along with the minister, the meeting was also attended by senior public servants, community representatives from PAGE and Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington.
“The minister appeared keen to be seen to be listening to the community,” Mr Wellington said.
“The election of Sunshine Coast Regional Council on a sustainable ticket is significant. It is important to translate the council support for PAGE into action on proposed alternatives.”
The issue of health implications of electro magnetic fields from powerlines was raised in the meeting as a serious concern.
PAGE is requesting a meeting with Sunshine Coast Regional Council to pursue the development of distributed energy solutions on the Sunshine Coast in conjunction with stakeholders.
The minister has also agreed to have another meeting with PAGE.
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