Issue 125 – Thursday 21 July 2011
For lovers of Eumundi everywhere Ph 0413 199 766 ● PO Box 463 Eumundi Qld 4562 ● editor@eumundigreen.com.au ● www.eumundigreen.com.au
PAGE celebrates and continues fight against powerlines
P
AGE and the communities of Eerwah Vale and Ridgewood are in celebratory mood following a reprieve in their four-year battle with Powerlink Queensland. Acting Energy Minister Phil Reeves announced that a proposed upgrade of the electricity transmission network supplying the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions is being deferred after Powerlink identified a temporary change to power flows into the region. “This means the need for the proposed Woolooga to Eerwah Vale transmission line and the Eerwah Vale substation project are being deferred by around five years,” he said earlier this month. Powerlink chief executive Gordon Jardine said the temporary change in power flows was a direct result of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the Surat Basin area of South West Queensland. “During the start-up phase the initial ‘ramp up’ gas produced by these projects is being sold to, and used by, power stations in South West Queensland,” he said, adding that this significantly increases power flows from the Surat Basin into the major demand centre of South East Queensland. Mr Jardine said this change to power flows would delay the overloads originally forecast
TAMING THE WILD™
SAVE $50
OFF RRP on model 435e only Offer valid until 31st July 2011 or while stocks last.
PAGE members celebrating after Powerlink deferred the powerlines project that was proposed to come through the Ridgewood and Eerwah Vale communities.
for the network supplying the Sunshine Coast and the need for the upgrade until 2019. However, despite the celebrations, the reprieve is a hollow victory for residents, PAGE president/coordinator Jack Connolly said. “The residents do not want a reprieve, they want Powerlink once and for all to acknowledge its original mistake made in 2007 and to adopt the much cheaper and lower social and environmental impact alternative proposed by PAGE,” he said. Mr Connolly said while Powerlink cited a temporary change to power flows into the region being a direct result of the recently announced LNG projects
in the Surat Basin as among the reasons for the deferral, he added that as early as 2008 the government forecast some of the Surat Basin’s coal and gas would be used for domestic energy production. “Powerlink seems to need or want a face-saving exit from this doomed project,” Mr Connolly said. “It appears Powerlink conjured up a seemingly believable story, but in so doing, have left hinterland residents with the same daunting boom hanging over their heads.” Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington said he will continue to push to have the proposal withdrawn from the government agenda. continued on page 5
435e CHAINSAW 40.9cc - 15” - 4.4kg WAS $669
NOW ONLY $
619
Receive one Made spare chain in FREE Sweden
Offer valid until 31st July 2011, or while stocks last.
cope@cooroyoutdoorpower.com.au
44 Elm Street Cooroy
Ph 5442 6333
Property of the week
www.noosahinterlandrealty.com
AUCTION ON SITE 83 Browns Road, Belli Park, Sat 20 August at 2pm • 10 useable acres with creek • 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom home • TLC or renovation required • This property will be sold • Realestate.com Property ID 107542800
Open for inspections Wed and Sat 1pm − 2pm Ph Richard Talady 0419 643 015 or 5442 8333 Memorial Dr Eumundi • Ph 5442 8333 Sales • Ph 5442 8011 Rentals • Email: nhrsales@bigpond.com
NOOSA HINTERLAND REALTY
E
U
M
U
N
D
I
Eumundi Combined Community Organisation (ECCO) proudly distributes 4000 copies free each fortnight to all within postcode 4562 area and at outlets nearby. Thursday 21 July 2011