Strong opposition to the TransGrid application for the Lismore to Dumaresq transmission line project has once again been raised following the Environmental Assessment being put on public display last week.
A public meeting will be held at the Tenterfield Golf Club on Thursday, September 22, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for residents to voice their concerns about the project.
TransGrid Action Group (TAG) co-chair and public officer Peter Woodrow said the group had hired two experts – one on ecology and the other on energy transmissions – to speak at the meeting.
“This is our final push after two and a half years fighting this project,” Mr Woodrow said.
He said the Far North NSW Project was due for completion this month but was held up due to the strong opposition to the project by Tenterfield residents.
TAG, which has close to 100 members, believes there is no justification for this project to proceed.
“We simply don’t believe there is a need for the project. There’s been a significant retreat in energy uses in the last four to five years. Not only is the North Coast power usage not getting larger, it’s retreating,” Mr Woodrow said.
“We’re looking at a pattern of flattening or decline. Energy prices have become so expensive that people are managing their usage and the uptake of solar energy is increasing,” he said.
Upper Dumaresq Action Group’s (UDAG) Julia Harpham agreed with Mr Woodrow but said there were a number of other issues of concern.
Mrs Harpham said visual amenity, health concerns and the potential impact on the real estate market were just some of the group’s concerns.
“As far as our shire is concerned the line offers no net gain to the shire as a whole, not even improved supply, and in fact will be detrimental in terms of land values dropping, and rates therefore falling. It will also impact upon our blossoming tourism business,” she said.
“We will fight as far and as high as we have to,” Mrs Harpham said.
Story: Rebecca Brown
