Hostile residents tackle power giant

A DOZEN residents raised serious concerns about the proposed Warwick to Stanthorpe powerlines route five in a hostile meeting with Ergon Energy yesterday.

The meeting, which took place at the home of one of the potentially affected residents, saw members question Ergon Energy's tactics and processes to Ergon Energy project manager Rodney Lobwein.

Residents and their family members say the process to decide on which route should be taken for the new powerlines has been flawed.

"The community hasn't had a proper reference group yet," Gerard Berreen-Keogh, a parent of potentially affected residents, said.

"Why haven't I or they been sent a letter informing me of the process?

"I'm not the only one; it seems you (Ergon Energy) conveniently forgot 90% of people."

Mr Berreen-Keogh said he did not believe Ergon Energy could present their current information to Local Member Lawrence Springborg.

"Ergon haven't followed the democratic process," he said.

"The Community Reference Group was fundamentally flawed.

"The whole process has been flawed and that means the information will be flawed.

"Ergon surely cannot present information which is highly likely to be flawed to the Minister."

Residents also questioned why Ergon had not appeared to seriously consider more routes to the east of Warwick when current powerlines already run through there and unused easements were already located on the route.

Mr Lobwein did not wish to be directly quoted but told those present Ergon had not finalised their route and was still gathering information to determine which route they would proceed with.

Residents Concerns:

 Flawed process, including flawed CRG

 Route five already chosen



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