VETO reflects on eight year battle against Energex

Members, who have spent the past eight years protesting against the multi-million dollar corporation’s move to build a 110kV power line from Loganlea to Jimboomba, are relieved the “fight” has now ceased, and have prepared to close the group after the line activated late last year.

While members were unable to push over the 23 kilometre project entirely, they said they were “glad” VETO could make a difference.

Group president Paul Casbolt said he was “proud” of the changes the group was able to implement – lessening the amount of times the overhead power line was going to cross the Logan River, from seven to three.

“We managed, with enough pressure from VETO, to get a fair portion of the power line underground, and I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“We have done so much, as a group, in the last eight years; which just goes to show what residents can truly accomplish if they work together and aim for the same goal.”

The voice and persistence of VETO members relocated the high voltage power line, originally proposed to cut across 24 properties along Camp Cable Road, to the road’s easement.

The group also successfully rallied to increased the amount of power lines going underground, from 2.5km to 8.6km.

Logan City Council Division 4 councillor Laurie Koranski – a member of VETO since the group formed in 2008 – said she was “immensely proud the community stood firm during the David and Goliath battle”.

“If it weren’t for the hard work of the group, as well as the work of a few dedicated and very committed citizens, our river would have been raped and pillaged, and we wouldn’t have been able to save what we did,” she said.

“I like to think of this as an empowering experience for us and our community, and we really hope others can look toward the work our group has done as inspirational.

“You can always make a difference, just as long as you have a strong voice, are strategic, educated and across the issue, and treat others with respect.”