Conduct of the Inquiry
On 30
March 1995, the Senate
referred the matter of the Eastlink High Voltage Power Line to the Economics
References Committee. The Terms of Reference were then advertised in national
newspapers and submissions called for by 2 June 1995. The Committee received 274 submissions from a range
of individuals and organisations (Appendix 1). Many of the submissions were
from areas most affected by the proposed line. Almost all of the submissions
received from private individuals and community groups opposed Eastlink. Those
few submissions in favour of Eastlink were from the two power authorities and
from several individuals.
The vast majority of submissions came from private
individuals (21 ^,f whom 131 identified themselves as rural property owners.
The next largest group of submissions came from community organisations and
associations (31). SLibmI ssions also came from shire councils and members of
parliament (9), scientists and medical practitioners (7), schools (6) and
government departments or corporations (3). Of the submissions from private
individuals, only 2 were in favour of Eastlink.
As well as formal submissions, the Committee received
1032 form letters, 91 survey forms, 143 questionnaires and a number of
different petitions with a total of 2658 signatures. All form letters,
questionnaires and petitions expressed a view opposing Eastlink.
The Committee held public hearings in Toowoomba, Armidale,
Melbourne and Canberra. Inspections were carried out in the Toowoomba/Warwick region and in
the Armidale/Guyra region (Appendix 11). Oral contributions were taken from 27
witnesses or groups of witnesses (Appendix 111) and 826 pages of evidence were
taken. In addition to the formal proceedings at the public hearings in Toowoomba
and Armidale, the Committee took the unusual step of allowing any member of the
public who wished to put a point of view to the Committee to speak for a period
of five minutes. This evidence was also recorded by Hansard.
INSPECTIONS AT ALLORA
On 11
October 1995, during
inspections of the Eastlink corridor from Toowoomba to Warwick, the Allora community made special efforts to welcome the Committee
and to provide briefing information about their area. Representatives of the
community groups South East Queensland Against Eastlink and Warwick Allora Karara
Action Group travelled with Committee members from Toowoomba to Springdale, then to Ma Ma Creek, Allora and Massie. When the
Committee arrived for lunch at Allora, members were greeted by the whole town
and rural community, the main street being lined with banners and people. There
followed a parade of some 50 trucks and tractors, all bearing posters
demonstrating against Eastlink.
However, in addition to making their views against Eastlink
known, the Allora community also made a special effort to thank the Committee
for visiting their area and listening to their concerns. As well as proclaiming
'No Eastlink', banners stated 'We thank you Senators' and 'Welcome Senators to Allora'.
Before lunch, Committee members and staff were each presented with a bouquet of
flowers from the local region by schoolchildren, and during lunch the Committee
was joined by many people from the Allora community.
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