Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) -- I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Energy and Resources, and it concerns a letter I received a couple of weeks ago from Mr Laurie Grima of Sunshine West. The letter begins: 

Powercor is putting 66 000 volt powerlines through our neighbourhood to provide power to industry on the other side of the Western Ring Road. The powerlines will be running along Ridgeway Parade, Nancy Street and Whitesides Avenue in the Sunshine West area.

 

There has been no consultation from Powercor and when they were asked about the powerlines, they stated Brimbank Council gave them permission and Powercor provided a contact number that was disconnected.

There is some evidence that electromagnetic radiation can have health impacts and I am very concerned for the wellbeing of my family ...

These lines are close to our homes and a kindergarten, yet Powercor will not put them underground saying it doesn't want to pay. I am sure you would agree that the health of the Sunshine West community, especially the kids, is more valuable than investing in underground powerlines.

I agree with Mr Grima that the health and welfare -- and wellbeing, indeed -- of the Sunshine West community is extremely important. I have to wonder if Powercor or another energy company were to be putting in powerlines on the other side of Melbourne whether they would be putting in overhead lines or they would be putting them underground. Frankly, we in the western suburbs are totally sick of the double standards of government, of the private sector, of a whole range of interests across the community when dealing with people in the western suburbs.

We seem to get a raw deal time and again. This really has to cease, particularly when it may well endanger the lives and the health of people living in the western suburbs.

When I read this letter, I picked up the phone, I spoke to Mr Grima and I visited his home, where a goodly number of concerned neighbours had gathered. They took me around and showed me exactly where the poles had gone up and where the overhead powerlines are due to go. What we are talking about here are high-voltage powerlines opposite a kindergarten. It is just not good enough.

I ask the Minister for Energy and Resources to convene a meeting to ensure that consultation is provided by Powercor and that no overhead powerlines go up until such time as the local community is totally reassured that there are no health risks -- that there are no dangers to their health or wellbeing.

I ask the minister to do that rapidly, as the poles for these overhead wires are already erected. He will need to do that quick stick. I ask the minister to do that as a matter of urgency.