Power Poles to Port of Brisbane

Energex scheme angers

10mar04

March 10: WYNNUM North residents are angry over Energex plans to run massive overhead power lines from Lytton to the Port of Brisbane.

They say the 110,000kv lines on "the mother of all poles" will be "unsightly in the extreme" and highly visible from residential areas.
But Energex says the plan is "not a done deal" and changes could be made.

If the plan goes ahead the lines would run parallel to Sandy Camp Rd and cross the port rail link behind Hannam St before following the rail line to the port.

An Energex report says the lines to the site of the future Fisherman Islands Bulk Supply Substation would service the growing need for power in the Australia Tradecoast precinct where large customers were experiencing costly disruptions to supply.

Constellation Way resident Ron Dale said about 70 residents had had met on Sunday to discuss a range of concerns, including possible health risks from particles charged by high tension power lines, lack of community consultation, the unsightly nature of the poles and negative impact on house values.

He said although an Energex report detailed the need for comprehensive community consultation, the power giant had already reached the stage where they had an approved budget, appeared ready to tender and unlikely to consider the underground option because of its $14m price tag.

Energex spokesman Richard Raymond said putting the lines underground would not be cost effective but the community consultation process had only just begun.

Mr Raymond said the meeting had been called after plans for the line were approved by the Port of Brisbane's key stakeholders including Brisbane City Council and environmental agencies. An open day will be held to listen to community concerns.

Wynnum Herald

Energex scheme angers