Image 1: Charlotte Aish, Chad Delforce and their children live on a property 12km outside Eungella. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Negotiations have begun between the Queensland Government and affected landholders following the Government’s announcement of the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Scheme in September.
The project is estimated to affect over 54 houses across 79 properties throughout Netherdale, Eungella and Mount Dalrymple with Government officials and contractors approaching residents to discuss terms of property access to conduct studies as well as initiating negotiations for property resumption and compulsory acquisition.
An information session was held in Eungella last Monday, December 12 to provide residents with landholder law information while making these negotiations.
“I know how precious land is and what it means to families,” said Shine Lawyers Practice Leader for Landholder Law Diane Skene.
“We’re not saying that it is (proceeding), but it’s definitely a bit scary.”
Charlotte Aish and Chad Delforce own a property 12km outside Eungella where they have raised their two young children for the last six years.
“Out of all the properties that we’d seen, there was just something about it and we just knew that was the one that we wanted to set up a life on,” said Ms Aish.
The family found out their property is proposed to be inundated by the project’s upper reservoir B and have received a letter to request access.
“We had no consultation on any of the contents of the proposal,” said Mr Delforce.
“Part of it was 48 hours’ notice to access and we informed them that that was completely unrealistic, so we’ve asked for changes to be made to that if we were going to look at agreeing to it which we’re not sure on at the moment.
“To think that we’re going to be in this situation for another two, three, four, five years, it’s going to have a really big impact.
“It’s still early days and we haven’t really obtained formal legal advice which is part of the reason we’ve attended tonight.”
Shine Lawyers have received enquiries from a number of residents in the area, prompting members of their Landholder Law team to travel to Eungella from Brisbane, Toowoomba and Dalby to facilitate the session.
“It was enough to bring us all up here, landholder to support landholder,” said Ms Skene.
“I think that having us on the ground up here, it won’t be our last trip up, it just depends on how fast the project moves and whether the community needs support in any objections, so I think we probably need to keep our fingers on the pulse just to make sure we’re there to help.”
● Seek legal advice for property access agreements and negotiations
● Inform Queensland Hydro officials of unique flora, fauna and other aspects of your property
● Keep a diary of interactions with government officials
● Talk to your accountant about tax implications
● Band together as a community
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
