A GROUP of Wallumbilla landholders say the health of their families and the future of their farming businesses are being put at risk by the construction of a high voltage power line through the local area.
The Woodduck Landholder Group was formed in October 12 after the State-owned Powerlink Queensland was commissioned to construct the high voltage Yuleba North to Blythdale Transmission Line.
When finished the 275,000 volt line will be used to power the coal seam gas activities owned by Santos in the area.
Woodduck Landholder Group spokeswoman Rebecca Beissel, said negotiations had broken down between landholders and Powerlink Queensland after the company failed to address their basic concerns.
"We have spent 11 months negotiating and to this day Powerlink Queensland has not developed an alignment that addresses our group's requirements. They have not come up with an alignment that supports the health and safety of farming families and businesses in our area," she said.
Ms Beissel said she and her husband Craig would be forced to move from their property 35km north of Wallumbilla if the transmission line was built in its current alignment.
"We have two young children and we just couldn't sleep at night knowing the transmission line was so close and wondering what damage it could be doing," she said.
"The evidence about the impacts of living near transmission line developments is inconclusive but the Leukaemia Foundation recommends prudent avoidance of homes, schools, playgrounds and other locations frequented by children."
The Woodduck Group is also concerned that Powerlink Queensland are calling for the Yuleba North to Blythdale Transmission Line as well as other proposed transmission lines and substation developments in the area to be approved under the Community Infrastructure Designation process.
"How does a transmission line that will be built solely for the purpose of powering the coal seam gas activities of one company classify as community infrastructure?," she said.
In a statement to Queensland Country Life, Powerlink chief executive, Merryn York said Powerlink had "clearly heard" the concerns of the Woodduck Landholder Group and had offered to workshop alignment options with the landholders in an "open and two-way" manner.
"We are making every effort to work with the group constructively to find a way forward that meets both the needs of the group and Powerlink, not forgetting the other landowners who are potentially affected by this proposed transmission line but who are not a part of the group," Ms York said.
"As Powerlink progresses the project, our next steps will include seeking to undertake the necessary consultation and fieldwork relevant for properties near the Woodduck State Forest."
Ms York said she also appreciated the concerns of landholders regarding the health impacts of the high voltage transmission lines.
"Like other transmission authorities in Australia, Powerlink takes its advice about electric and magnet fields (EMF) from recognised national and international health authorities. Powerlink follows the Energy Networks Association (ENA) EMF policy which recommends the design and operation of transmission systems prudently within relevant health guidelines," she said.
"EMFs are found everywhere electricity or electrical equipment is being used - including the home, office, work sites and around transmission lines. The strengths of EMFs decrease rapidly with distance from the source and at the boundary of a typical Powerlink easement, the EMFs present is generally similar to those people would come across in their daily activities at home or work.
"I appreciate that the group has an interest in electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) and I encourage them to work in collaboration with us so we can address this and other social factors that may be important to them."
l Letters, p20
