ENERGEX has stopped work on the Logan River section of the Loganlea to Jimboomba power line at the 11th hour after Energy Minister Mark McArdle intervened.
While Mr McArdle’s office would neither confirm nor deny his involvement, an Energex spokesman told the Times the Minister had asked the company to focus on other sections of the power line.
Logan City Council received written confirmation from Energex on Wednesday afternoon, a spokeswoman said.
"The letter also confirms that Energex will re-engage with council to continue negotiations on a potential alternative route, with the ultimate route needing to be the one that has low cost and broad community support," she said.
The spokeswoman said council was celebrating the victory in its ongoing fight against the power line's designated route.
"Council was delighted to receive this news. Councillors and the staff of Logan City Council have been relentless in supporting the local community on this issue, and the persistence has paid off," she said.
"Council will now re-engage with Energex on the basis that we believe an alternative route does exist that will not cost Energex more, but will also not see power lines repeatedly crossing the Logan River."
The spokeswoman acknowledged the role of local state MPs, the state government and community activists in achieving the outcome.
"Council also specifically acknowledges the strong stand taken by the local community opposing these power lines, in particular the VETO Group," she said.
"Their actions have been a major reason this result has been achieved."
Council will await further correspondence from Energex after its October board meeting before meeting with Energex to continue negotiations.
VETO president Paul Casbolt welcomed the news that construction on the Logan River had ceased.
“This provides an 11th hour opportunity to achieve a better outcome instead of the Logan River route and we are working to support and encourage council to negotiate a lower impact alternative," he said.
Mr Casbolt said a positive outcome was by no means guaranteed as VETO and council were yet to convince Energex that lower-cost and more reliable alternatives to the river route exist.
In response to questions from the Times, Mr McArdle released a short statement.
“I encourage council and Energex to work together to deliver the best ‘lowest cost’ option for the river section - one that will also have the broadest community support,” the Minister said.
