RESIDENTS in Max Slater Drive on the southern edge of Bega are concerned about the effect of a Country Energy power upgrade that runs through and near their properties.
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An easement for the $40 million upgrade was surveyed in 1994 but four years later a subdivision was allowed which intrudes into the area set aside for the power lines which will carry vastly increased amounts of power than now.
Elaine Cole bought her property as a house and land package in 1999 and now finds that all her shedding and almost 25 per cent of her house is in the easement.
“It is a ridiculous situation,” Ms Cole said.
“It’s not only my house, there are many more in fact the whole development is suspect.”
Ms Cole said she wanted answers.
“How on earth did this happen,” she said.
“How was the development allowed, did the council use old plans or what?”
Jenelle Loftus owns a neighbouring property and while it is not in the easement, she still has grave concerns about the effect the upgrade will have.
“When we bought the property we asked Country Energy what was going to happen,” she said.
“But we were never told there would be double the voltage and six instead of one power poles.”
The residents believe there will be 16 powerlines carrying up to a total of 265 kilovolts along the route, an amount which not only makes the width of the easement necessary but carries potential health risks.
“That amount of power poles and lines through these properties is over the top,” Ms Cole said.
“No one has said this was going to happen and our property values are shot to pieces.
“But more importantly there are big concerns about what this will do to the health of everyone around here.”
Ms Loftus said she had researched the problems associated with Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) and said there was evidence to support their concerns.
“There has been a Senate inquiry that showed an upgrade in Queensland that carried just over 300 kilovolts could have potential health problems and the amount this will carry is getting close to that,” she said.
“It is a huge concern for us but especially for our children.”
The Senate Committee found it was “unable to totally dismiss the possibility that there may be adverse effects”.
The nearby Sapphire Coast Anglican College has concerns about the effect on students, especially as the college has plans to expand closer to the area.
Ms Cole and Ms Loftus want to know why the upgrade can’t go underground or around the area.
“We have been told that putting it underground would cost too much,” Ms Cole
said.
“But how much is a child’s health worth?”
The women say that putting the lines underground would reduce the impact of EMFs and it wouldn’t be “as ugly”.
“Why can’t they take it behind the development at least,” Ms Cole said.
Ms Cole and Ms Loftus want answers.
“We want to know how the council got away with letting anyone build in this easement,” Ms Cole said.
“Something needs to be done because technically Country Energy can come along and stick a power pole in the middle of my rumpus room.”
