CopperString makes impact at Helenslee meeting
George Bredden, Michael Penna, Alaistair Costello and Geoff Forester.
The proponent of the CopperString project has listened to the concerns of Charters Towers property owners at a Dalrymple Landcare meeting.
The high voltage overhead powerline is slated to run from Townsville to Mt Isa. The $1.7 billion project is designed to connect the north-west minerals province to the national electricity grid, but to get there, it needs to span 740 kilometres through dozens of private properties, including those in the Charters Towers region.
The Dalrymple Landcare group hosted proponent, John O’Brien, legal professionals including Donnie Harris and valuer Roger Hill at Helenslee Station, west of Charters Towers, to explain some of the processes and knock on affects to landholders.
Mr O’Brien said current power prices for commercial operations in the northwest minerals province are two to three times more expensive than the rest of Australia.
“This development will facilitate strong economic development by providing cheaper power to the Mt Isa minerals province and increasing the capacity for minerals processing,” he said.
Peter Leggett took meeting participants on a tour of his family’s property Helenslee.
Despite his positive assessment of the project, landholders voiced their concerns about disruptions to their businesses. Mr O’Brien said there would be “some impact” on property owners before he was corrected by graziers in the audience who explained some of the problems the new power line poses, including increased dangers associated with helicopter mustering, the introduction of weeds and the impact of the 120 metre wide easement to grazing operations. They also highlighted the amateur nature of the access agreement provided by CopperString and said the compensation offered was too low.
Roger Hill, a senior valuer with Herron Todd White in Townsville, encouraged the affected landholders to document potential impacts on the land and business.
“Keep a journal and keep it with you all the time to record and making notes of things that come to mind as you go about your daily activities,” he said.
“Develop an impact statement based on notes in the journal.”
John O’Brien told the audience that he believed construction would begin before the end of 2021, a timeline that was questioned by lawyer Donnie Harris. He also encouraged landholders to work out some sort of agreement with CopperString.
An old steam boiler at Helenslee Station, Homestead.
“The easement is binding, so get the agreement right the first time. And don’t sign anything without legal advice,” Mr Harris said.
He also warned that if no agreement is in place before Phase 2, compulsory acquisition will follow.
“Engage an experienced lawyer and valuer as a minimum and also perhaps an agronomist. Get an undertaking from CopperString to pay or reimburse your legal, and valuation costs,” he said.
The May meeting was hosted by Peter and Maxine Leggett at Helenslee Station at Homestead and attendees enjoyed a tour of the property after the discussion with CopperString.
Marion Cerqui, Noelene Ferguson, Zabby Appleton and Dianne Hood.
Peter Leggett, Donnie Harris, Roger Hill and Des Bolton.
Ross Leggett, Scott Cerqui, Jim Rollinson, Alan Lennox and Dudley Leggett.
Tom Mann and Jim Rollinson with a steam boiler at Helenslee Station, Homestead.