Borumba hydro powerline plans spark outrage

Hundreds of Gympie region and South Burnett residents have flagged their concerns about controversial plans to run high voltage powerlines across the land if the proposed multi-billion dollar Borumba pumped hydro plan goes ahead.

Plans to run high voltage powerlines across the Gympie region as part of the proposed multibillion-dollar Borumba pumped hydro plant have been labelled a “bloody eye sore” which will only lower land values.

More than 528 submissions have been made by Gympie region residents on Powerlink’s interactive map in response to feedback about the three proposed routes, which sparked outrage across the region when first announced.

The three options involve some of the most expensive and populated parts of the region, and include Mary’s Creek, Pie Creek, the Southside, Scrubby Creek, Bells Bridge, Lower Wonga, Widgee, Kilkivan and Manumbar.

In the South Burnett, 100 people have had their say on the routes proposed to connect the hydro plant with the Tarony and Halys substations, involving neighbourhoods north of Blackbutt, South Nanango and Tarong.

Tributes flow after shock death of eight ball legend

The bulk of Gympie complaints have come from the Widgee and Southside areas with each recording more than 130 submissions.

Another 88 have been lodged from Kilkivan region residents.

Coach weighs in on adult water safety after swim deaths

More than 500 comments have been left by Gympie region residents on powerlink's interactive online map highlighting the proposed routes for high voltage transmission lines needed to connect the planned Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant with the Woolooga substation.

Potentially affected residents raised a number of issues about the plan, ranging from aesthetics to financial damage.

“We moved from Brisbane to get away from a main road, train station and powerlines and ensured nothing was in the area,” one submitter living south of the Woolooga substation said.

“Now I see solar panels from my property and will see powerlines too if this proposal goes ahead.

“It is destroying a previously beautiful rural location for many residents and livestock in the Widgee and Lower Wonga area.”

An Oakview resident wrote the lines would be “another giant scar on the landscape”, while a resident north of the Blacksnake Ranges simply called them a “bloody eyesore in my backyard”.

A primary producer working in the Glastonbury area said they “outlaid significant expenditure” on their land and running transmission lines across it would squash further planned investment.

Powerlink will host several new meetings across the Gympie and South Burnett as part of its consultation process, with these meetings announced after the organisation “apologised” in pre-Christmas letter to potentially affected landholders over its consultation on the controversial transmission lines.

“Our 82-acre cattle property is located within one corridor option which would create financial pressures, and livelihood loss and produce fewer beef cattle that cannot meet current supply and demand,” they said.

A Pie Creek resident urged Powerlink to do “the right thing” and put the lines underground.

“Problem solved, end of story, let people and Powerlink move forward with life,” they said.

“Would you live under it?”

Powerlink has repeatedly said in response to community backlash about the proposed routes “no decisions have been made on the location of a new line or towers”.

In the lead-up to Christmas the company “apologised” for how consultation on the routes had initially unfolded.

New meetings will be held across the Gympie region starting from Tuesday January 17, with the full slate as follows:

* Tuesday 17 January | 10am-1pm, Widgee Community Complex

* Tuesday 17 January | 3pm-6pm Kilkivan Hall

* Wednesday 18 January | 10am-1pm The Pavilion

* Wednesday 18 January | 3pm-6pm Amamoor Hall

* Thursday 19 January | 10am-1pm Moore Hall

* Thursday 19 January | 4pm-7pm Kilcoy Memorial Hall

* Tuesday 31 January | 10am-1pm Imbil Memorial Hall

* Tuesday 31 January | 3pm-6pm Manumbar Hall

* Wednesday 1 February | 10am-1pm Yarraman Memorial Hall

* Wednesday 1 February | 3pm-6pm Maidenwell Hall

* Thursday 2 February | 10am-1pm Kumbia Memorial Hall

* Thursday 2 February | 3pm-6pm Nanango Cultural Centre