The powerline compromising the view from Beaconsfield Emerald Road.
By Danielle Galvin
BEATEN down Emerald residents have been dealt yet another blow in the fight against development at the Buddhist temple on Beaconsfield Emerald Road.
Unsightly high voltage powerlines are obstructing the view of the shire for the Emerald residents, already fuming about trees out the front of the Nan Hai Pu Tuo temple being cut down.
Development at the temple has been closely monitored by members of the Community Alliance Group, who watched in horror last week as powerlines went up out the front of their houses.
Ambrose Avenue and Beaconsfield Emerald Road residents are fuming that the huge concrete powerlines are disrupting their once serene, tranquil neighbourhood.
It’s a fight that members of the Community Alliance Group fear they are losing.
“We’re worried about the health risks of having these powerlines so close to our houses,” one member of the group said.
Members of the Community Alliance Group were fed up that two weeks ago, trees out the front of the Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple were unceremoniously cut down to make way for the two concrete powerlines.
The powerlines were put up to provide electricity for the Buddhist Temple.
Development at the site of the temple on 71 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road has been a headache for Emerald residents.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said she contacted the management at the temple to get confirmation that SP Ausnet would put up powerlines just 50 metres from her house.
Residents of the community group were fuming that the powerlines would devalue their properties.
“We moved to the area because it’s remote and rural, not to have powerlines.”
The group is hitting back at claims that they are racist, after a letter to the editor claimed they were discriminating against Buddhism.
In the coming weeks, the group is hoping to organise a meeting with Cardinia Shire Council.
The Community Alliance Group is meeting with the council on Friday 12 August at 3pm at the council chambers on Henty Way in Pakenham.
Representatives from the Buddhist temple have been invited to attend, and residents are welcome to attend.
