Power play, one year on

THIS month marks one year since the formation of the Power Community Reference Group (CRG), who were handed the arduous task of assessing and selecting a powerline corridor from Warwick to Stanthorpe.
The group came tentatively close to making a final decision during their 18th meeting on Thursday, 2 May, at the Vines Motel in Stanthorpe.
Early signs were pointing to line route five, Warwick west, as the preferred option.
However, the line route, which passes through Mount Gordon, Allan, Leslie and Toolburra, is only a suggested corridor and could deviate by up to two kilometres – making it difficult to determine affected properties.
CRG facilitator John Dengate said the CRG members were only required to assess the line routes based on the best corridor options, not the physical location of the line itself.
“Once a line corridor is selected by the CRG, and early signs have indicated line route five as one of their preferred options, Ergon Energy will begin to assess those impacted on the ground including for compensation, easements and where improvements can be made to minimise impacts,” Mr Dengate said.
“It’s not the role of the CRG to investigate individual properties affected by this decision.”
CRG members were presented with a range of data comparing line routes three and five, based on a set of impact studies carried out by Ergon, with the figures clearly pointing to line route five as the preferred route.
However, several members of the CRG said they had not made up their minds and have asked for more time to consider all the options.
Meanwhile, residents outside the CRG group – some of whom were original CRG members but resigned – continue to express their frustration with the CRG, amid claims the group had not properly considered renewable energy options.
But one CRG member, Barbara Marsden, sought to ease concerns about the handling of renewable options in the final CRG report – to be presented to Mr Springborg and Ergon by a non-specified deadline.
“Nothing is off the table, and the CRG members have not ruled out renewable options,” she said.
“Our report to Ergon will reflect not only the best line route, but the need to support proposals for renewable options such as wind and diesel – should the group reach that conclusion.”
Mrs Marsden said she had made a conscious effort not to look at the line routes to ensure she was not biased in her decision.
“I have based all my decisions on the data and have not seen the line routes to ensure I’m not biased towards my own property – I’m also personally a keen supporter of renewable options,” she said.
While the prospect of recommending renewable options, such as those put forward by Rabbit Ridge Wind Farm, remains on the table, CRG members were reluctant to decide whether renewable energy options were the best idea.
“It’s about power security for Stanthorpe into the future,” one CRG member, who did not want to be named, said.
“We have to look at all options, but we also have to consider the future needs of the area and whether renewable options can live up to those needs.”
The original 12-member CRG, which was formed by Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg, included residents from both Stanthorpe and Warwick, but within four months of its formation the group was reduced to seven, after six members resigned.
The remaining seven CRG members continue to carry a heavy burden; one which requires a fair and balanced approach, however justifying the future relevance of the group is becoming difficult as the meetings continue to exclude outsider input and all at taxpayers’ expense.
While the meaning behind the CRG was in essence a good one, the practicalities have since revealed power struggles, conflicting views, a lack of knowledge and the reliance on Ergon Energy representatives for constant input.
Several concerned residents said the group had “run its course” and have called for their final report.
Mr Dengate said the group would likely finalise their report to Ergon and Mr Springborg in the coming weeks – but no deadline had been set.