January 27, 2023
A Widgee landholder concerned about Powerlink’s proposed transmission line routes for the Borumba Dam pumped hydro scheme has organised an E-Petition to State Parliament.
The petition, by Shae Rule, was launched on January 4 and has been sponsored by Member for Gympie Tony Perrett.
It is urging the State Government to ensure the transmission lines are kept away from private land:
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House (to) Powerlink’s consideration of potential corridors for a new transmission line to connect the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project to the Woolooga substation.
The corridors cut a swathe through private land. While the community accepts the importance of the Project to Queensland’s clean energy future, it is unfair to impose the associated transmission infrastructure on ordinary Queenslanders working hard to raise families, run successful businesses, secure their futures, look after the environment and ensure Australia’s food security. As the project benefits the whole state, the associated burden should be borne by the state wherever possible.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ensure that, so far as possible, the transmission infrastructure required for the Borumba Project is built on existing state-owned land corridors, including state forest, and that all available technology and infrastructure is used to minimise the impact on private landowners and the environment.
By Friday afternoon, it had been signed by 2130 people.
Powerlink has been holding community meetings and one-on-one discussions with residents about the proposed routes, which would link Borumba Dam to the State’s electricity grid, ie. Woolooga substation in the north and Tarong in the south.
One of the proposed northern routes passes close to Widgee, while another passes near Amamoor and Glastonbury.
The proposed southern routes pass Linville, Moore, Taromeo, Teelah, Benarkin, Blackbutt, Yarraman and Nanango.
A proposed extension to the Halys substation is close to Maidenwell.
Kilkivan and Widgee residents, concerned about the possible impact of the powerlines, have organised their own community meetings to discuss the project.
A Facebook group, “Say NO to the lines”, now has 1035 members.
Landholders and local residents have also banded together to form the Kilkivan Action Group.
Some property owners are concerned the proposed towers will affect their property values, the amenity of the area and increase biosecurity risks.
Others have disputed the need for the pumped hydro project at all, while some are worried about alleged health impacts from high-voltage lines.
Powerlink’s next planned community sessions will be held at:
- Imbil – Tuesday, January 31, 10:00am-1:00pm at Imbil Memorial Hall, 127 Yabba Road, Imbil
- Manumbar – Tuesday, January 31, 3:00pm-6:00pm at Manumbar Hall, 3873 Manumbar Road, Manumbar
- Yarraman – Wednesday, February 1, 10:00am-1:00pm at Yarraman Memorial Hall, Browne Street, Yarraman
- Maidenwell – Wednesday, February 1, 3:00pm-6:00pm at Maidenwell Hall, Pool Street, Maidenwell
- Kumbia – Thursday, February 2, 10:00am-1:00pm at Kumbia Memorial Hall, 29-31 Bell Street, Kumbia
- Nanango – Thursday, February 2, 3:00pm-6:00pm at the Nanango Cultural Centre, Drayton & Henry streets, Nanango
A Powerlink spokesperson said no final decision had been made yet on the transmission line routes.
The draft Corridor Selection Report will be released in late March.
After this, Powerlink plans to hold a series of more community meetings in April and May.
External links:
Download Options Route Maps:
- Borumba to Tarong/Halys (1.3Mb PDF)
- Borumba to Woolooga (1.5Mb PDF)
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