People power axes power plan

JULIA Harpham is glad she won’t have to tie herself naked to a tree.
The Moorabinda woman was celebrating along with other members of the Upper Dumaresq Action Group after Transgrid cancelled its planned high voltage line from Bonshaw to Lismore.
“We have always said the line was unnecessary and after four years of hammering this point we feel very justified to have the decision to build the line reversed,” Ms Harpham said.
“This decision is great for affected landholders and for the public who have been faced with rising power bills as a result of the building of unnecessary infrastructure.
“It is an environmental win as well, since the line was proposed to pass over areas of endangered ecological communities.”
Ms Harpham said the impact on affected landholders over the past five years has been huge.
“We hope the easement will be withdrawn so it is not on the title deeds of affected landholders, and we can move on,” she said.
“Transgrid has made a commitment to discuss this process with us.
“On a personal level, I am happy that it seems I won’t have to tie myself naked to a tree,” she said.
“Probably my family is as well.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the proposed 330kv high voltage power line project from Bonshaw to Lismore had been in limbo for more than 12 months and the uncertainty had caused a great deal of angst in the Tenterfield, Bonshaw and Mingoola communities.
He also commended the perseverance of the many residents who had come together to oppose the construction.
“Today’s announcement by TransGrid is welcome news and recognition that the community was right to raise concerns about the necessity of the line,” he said.
Mr Marshall is encouraging locals to attend the TransGrid community meeting on Saturday, 9 November, as the company now turns its attention to how best to close off the easement acquisition process.