Locals reject power push

Angered community members stormed out of a controversial meeting recently, with the Warwick to Stanthorpe duplication powerline the heat of discussion.
Further, it sparked a local action group into meeting again last week to look at tactics to fight against certain proposals aligned with the upgrade.
The primary meeting, organised by MP Lawrence Springborg was attended by concerned locals and Ergon Energy representatives.
Ergon has stated that, to ensure the Southern Downs region is provided with safe, secure and reliable power, it is proposing to construct a 110,000 volt (110kV) powerline from Warwick to Stanthorpe.
“Currently, power is supplied to the Stanthorpe Substation through the Warwick Substation via a single 63 kilometre long 110kV powerline that was built in 1971.
“Based on a review of current community needs and future growth, a new powerline is needed to ensure a reliable power supply to the Stanthorpe area.
“After a number of investigations, we have identified an approximately 65 kilometre preferred corridor for the new 110kV powerline.”
Mr Springborg said there was general agreement that the power supply to Stanthorpe needed to be reinforced to give it a similar level of capacity and reliably as Warwick now enjoys following the duplication of the line to Warwick from Toowoomba.
“The intention of the meeting was to agree on a process to establish a community reference group (CRG) to consider a range of corridor options in consultation with Ergon and how to address any associated landholder concerns,” he said.
“As part of that process, a facilitator, John Dengate, has been engaged to work with the community to find a balanced outcome and ensure that all views and issues are properly considered and as many as possible addressed.
“The meeting was progressing very well, with people showing confidence in the approach that John was taking in getting people’s views on how the group should be constituted and its priorities.
“Unfortunately, the meeting hit a snag when an Ergon rep suggested that it would be ideal if the process was concluded by the end of May.
“Such a suggestion was completely unrealistic and inappropriate, given the work to be done.
“I am confident, however, that a more realistic time-frame will be established and have expressed as much to Ergon. They agree and I believe that the reference group can now realistically expect at least four to six months to do their work.”
Community group AWARE stated Ergon has proved they were not 100 per cent willing to work with the community.
“The community attended the meeting in good faith but were shocked by the coldness of the Ergon representatives,” the group said.
“The aim was to form a reference group to help propose the best line route for the area which has the least impact on the community.
“The community was surprised and felt uncomfortable that Ergoni’s employing John Dengate as the reference panel facilitator.
“Ergon could give no guarantee there would be no backlash from other members of the community, with the final decision of the placement of the new 110KkVpowerline.
“The community group AWARE asked important questions which Ergon did not always answer, or gave the wrong impression.
“The community was shocked with Ergon’s representative in response to easements.
“They will not pay for new easements if the line is on the roadside but still want access to the landowner’s property for tree clearing and control future development, with restrictions to the property owners.
“Conflict of interest was raised about Mally McMurtrie sitting in as a councillor at council meetings when discussions about Ergon’s powerline proposal to be built in 2016, due to her husband working for Ergon in Stanthorpe.
“Ergon said there was no conflict of interest.
“Ergon said there are only 22 houses affected by the proposed new 110kV powerline option 4 route.
“Community knows there are many more – many that have not been notified by Ergon.
“The meeting ended abruptly, when Ergon gave a very short, unworkable time frame forthe CRG.
“More than eight community members walked out, with some colourful language.
“Lawrence Springborg and the community were very disappointed with the uncooperative representation from Ergon.
“Members of the community were told by Ergon to calm down, go home and forget about it.
[Allegedly] “As a result of the meeting a member of the community was admitted to hospital for several days with chest pains.
“Ergon has proved they are not here for the community or their customers.”
Despite the backlash, Ergon Energy said it remains committed to working with the Southern Downs community to achieve the best possible outcome for a second powerline route between Warwick and Stanthorpe.
Darling Downs Area Operations Manager Matt Gleeson said Ergon Energy accepted the time-line proposed for the CRG process last night was too ambitious.
“While a shorter process has been possible on some projects, it is clear a longer period will be required to achieve the best outcome for this project,” he said.
“Our commitment has always been to a process that gives the CRG the opportunity to assess all options in a comprehensive manner.
“Of course, it’s in the interests of both Ergon Energy and the community for the CRG to complete its work as soon as practicable, but the time-line needs to allow for a robust and transparent process.
“Ergon Energy is confident it can overcome any issues with the time-line by working with the community and the independent facilitator.”
Mr Gleeson said Ergon Energy was hoping the CRG could be formed and begin its deliberations in May and he expected it would then take several months for it to reach an informed conclusion.
“The guiding principle will be to give the CRG sufficient time to be fully informed so the community has confidence in the outcome,” he said.