NSW Parliamentary debate - HumeLink Community benefits

Summary

The speaker passionately argues against the placement of high voltage transmission towers in the Tamworth electorate, emphasizing their negative impact on the landscape and regional communities. They criticize the lack of consultation and the flawed investigation into alternative routes, urging the government and energy companies to consider public land options like traveling stock routes and crown reserves, rather than private lands, to minimize community disruption and preserve the environment.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The motion is about the impact of high voltage transmission towers on the Tamworth electorate and the need for alternative options.
• 🌱 The towers are seen as a blight on the landscape, conflicting with the vision of 'Healthy Rivers, Healthy Farms, Healthy Communities'.
• 📍 The current route for the transmission towers is criticized for being drawn without adequate community consultation and consideration.
• 🚫 The towers are planned to be placed through private lands, farmlands, and productive agricultural areas, causing distress to local residents and farmers.
• 🐎 The speaker mentions the potential use of government-owned crownland stock routes, such as the ABAB Baldi traveling stock route, as a better alternative.
• 🔍 There is a perception that the investigation into the transmission route has been flawed and has ignored practical alternatives.
• 👥 Community groups have formed in opposition to the project, highlighting a lack of social license and inadequate response to their concerns.
• 🛑 The speaker calls for the removal of the transmission lines from private lands and their relocation to public lands, such as traveling stock routes and crown reserves.
• 🤝 The government and energy company are urged to consider the presented alternatives and to stop impacting communities.
• 🔄 The planning and consultation processes are described as broken, especially in the context of the rush towards renewable energy.
• 🌿 The speaker emphasizes the need for clean, green, renewable energy but argues against it being pursued at the expense of community well-being and unity.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised by the member for Tamworth regarding the high voltage transmission towers?

The main concern is that the high voltage transmission towers will be a blight on the landscape, impacting the beauty and productivity of regional New South Wales, including private lands, farmlands, and equine facilities.

What is the overarching signal that the member for Tamworth believes needs to be sent across New South Wales?

The overarching signal is 'Healthy Rivers, Healthy Farms, Healthy Communities', advocating for a cleaner, greener environment without sacrificing regional communities.

Why is the member for Tamworth critical of the current route chosen for the transmission towers?

The current route was chosen without adequate consultation and consideration of its impact on regional communities, passing through backyards, farmlands, and productive agricultural areas.

What is the member for Tamworth's view on the planning and consultation process for the transmission towers?

The member criticizes the planning and consultation process as broken, with landowners and residents feeling outraged at the lack of consultation and the social license that the energy company does not have.

What alternative route is suggested by the member for Tamworth for the transmission towers?

The member suggests using public land, such as traveling stock routes and crown reserves, instead of private lands to minimize the impact on communities.

What is the member's opinion on the government and regulator's approach to the transmission towers' route?

The member believes the approach is flawed, as it was based on the quickest, cheapest, and easiest route without proper investigation into practical alternatives.

How has the community responded to the proposed transmission towers project?

Voluntary community groups have formed in opposition to the project, with community members and farmers dedicating their time to investigate alternate routes and build a case against the existing route.

What is the member for Tamworth's call to action for the government and energy company?

The member is imploring the government and energy company to consider the alternative options presented, to move the transmission lines onto public land and away from private property.

What is the member's stance on renewable energy in relation to the transmission towers issue?

While the member supports clean, green renewable energy, they argue that it should not come at the expense of communities and should not divide families and communities.

What evidence does the member for Tamworth provide of the flawed investigation into the transmission route?

The member points out that the investigation ignored practical routes such as government-owned crownland stock routes and the ABAB Baldi traveling stock route.

What is the member's view on the impact of the transmission towers on property values and community life?

The member believes that the towers will negatively impact property values and community life, causing distress and forcing community members to take action against the project.