By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs’ residents have raised fresh concerns over the need for another power line from Warwick to Stanthorpe, as Ergon Energy hosts yet another public meeting.
An increase in the number of residents purchasing solar panels is taking pressure off the electrical grid and easing power use, according to Queensland Recreation Aircraft Association president Kelvin Hutchinson.
“Logic would make you think if there’s less need for a secondary power line, due to the uptake of solar panels, then why waste money on a new line,” Mr Hutchinson said.
Other residents have expressed concerns over the selection of the route five corridor when the Community Reference Group, responsible for selecting the route, gained little to no trust from the general public.
Warwick Aerodrome has also bowed into the debate with concerns that the route five corridor could interfere with flights or even hinder future expansions of the airfield.
Those affected are calling for a fresh approach to the planning of the line, including a re-assessment of the need and its subsequent location.
Mr Hutchinson said it was an outrage to even consider the line near an airfield.
“The fact is those residents and business living on the route five corridor were never consulted nor was anyone from the Warwick Aerodrome,” he said.
“Ergon really need to go back to the drawing board on this matter and start fresh consultations with route five residents and businesses.”
Ergon had a meeting with representatives of United Land Owner’s Group (ULOG) in Toowoomba on Wednesday 7 May.
Ergon representatives reiterated its commitment to work with ULOG and other groups to review the criteria used by the Community Reference Group as part of its process.
“The priority to make this possible is for Ergon to determine the best option for a line route within the 2km-wide corridor five, which was the recommendation from the CRG,” the Ergon spokesperson said.
“Line route five will be determined and refined from the constraints that have been identified though the constraints assessment of the corridor.
“This line route also will avoid any areas within the corridor that an independent specialist advises would impact on the Warwick airport now and into the future, taking into consideration airfield regulatory requirements.
“It is only by developing a specific line route that a true comparison can be made with other line routes that have been identified previously as alternatives for providing long-term security of power supply for the Stanthorpe region.
“The analysis to ensure the best solution for the line route will be determined by a review of the CRG’s criteria with representatives of ULOG and other community groups.”
