No real news to report, but many people have been very busy preparing for the meeting with the Tavira Councilor tomorrow (Tuesday), the trip to Lisbon on Wednesday, and the Residents meeting on Thursday.
A bus is being arranged to go to the Portuguese Assembly Building in Lisbon on Wednesday, to coincide with the planned meeting between the "Movimento Contra as Linhas de Alta Tensã" and the Government.
Notices advertising the next residents information meeting have been disseminated throughout the valley from Porto Carvalhoso to Alcaria Fria, when feedback wil be provided about the meetings with Tavira Council and the Government.
This is the most important week yet for the campaign, and it is important that we involve as many people as possible who are going to be impacted by these developments. Spread the word.
The little number in the right-hand corner is counting how many times people look at our web-site.
Showing posts with label residents committee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label residents committee. Show all posts
Monday, 23 March 2009
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Residents Committee Minutes 18 March 2009
There were over 40 people at Casa Brito in Porto Carvalhoso at 7.30 pm when the meeting commenced – a mix of Portuguese and non-Portuguese who were threatened with a devaluation of their properties, and possible but unproven health risks as a result of government-backed REN proposal to site high-tension cables close to, and even over, their homes.
The meeting opened with a presentation in Portuguese and English of the REN proposal, using maps to show exactly where the cables would be sited. This was the first time many people had been told exactly where the cables would be. It was then explained that the government had chosen to completely ignore the residents public petition with 853 signatures, 165 individual formal environmental objections and even the submission made by Sta. Catarina Junta. There was not even an acknowledgment in the official “public consultation “report, and the reason why the government had decided to back the lines had not been disclosed to residents. The report did state that the chosen route affected the least people, when census data backed by the president of the local Junta showed this to be untrue. It was however the shortest and the cheapest route. The public consultation had been a sham, and the lack of communication by Sta. Catarina Junta, Tavira Câmera and the Government had been shameful.
There followed a lively discussion about what should be the next steps. Despite the belated invitation to a meeting with a Tavira Councilor next week, it was decided to press on with arrangements for protests in Lisbon, with the support of other, national protest groups. Some of the Portuguese residents in attendance said that many local Portuguese home-owners were still in the dark about REN’s proposals and the government’s decision and it was therefore decided that a 2nd information meeting should be planned for next week.
Plans for a wind-farm close to houses in Água de Tábuas were not as advanced as the plans for the high tension cables and it was decided to leave discussion to another occasion. Background briefing documents about the accelerating and unregulated growth in wind-farm installations in Portugal in general, and the Algarve in particular, were distributed to those directly affected.
The meeting opened with a presentation in Portuguese and English of the REN proposal, using maps to show exactly where the cables would be sited. This was the first time many people had been told exactly where the cables would be. It was then explained that the government had chosen to completely ignore the residents public petition with 853 signatures, 165 individual formal environmental objections and even the submission made by Sta. Catarina Junta. There was not even an acknowledgment in the official “public consultation “report, and the reason why the government had decided to back the lines had not been disclosed to residents. The report did state that the chosen route affected the least people, when census data backed by the president of the local Junta showed this to be untrue. It was however the shortest and the cheapest route. The public consultation had been a sham, and the lack of communication by Sta. Catarina Junta, Tavira Câmera and the Government had been shameful.
There followed a lively discussion about what should be the next steps. Despite the belated invitation to a meeting with a Tavira Councilor next week, it was decided to press on with arrangements for protests in Lisbon, with the support of other, national protest groups. Some of the Portuguese residents in attendance said that many local Portuguese home-owners were still in the dark about REN’s proposals and the government’s decision and it was therefore decided that a 2nd information meeting should be planned for next week.
Plans for a wind-farm close to houses in Água de Tábuas were not as advanced as the plans for the high tension cables and it was decided to leave discussion to another occasion. Background briefing documents about the accelerating and unregulated growth in wind-farm installations in Portugal in general, and the Algarve in particular, were distributed to those directly affected.
Residents Committee Meeting 18th March 2009
The residents committee meeting was well attended. The presentation and discussions took place in both Portuguese and English. For many, it was the first time they has seen the plans for the High Tension cables, and they were very angry that the Junta and Tavira Câmera had not kept them informed, and that the Government had totally ignored the petitions they had delivered last year. An action plan was agreed and the next meeting scheduled. Full report to follow.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
REPORT OF RESIDENTS COMMITTEE MEETING 3RD MARCH 2009
The meeting was held as planned on 3rd March. Reports were received about the conversation with Sn. Gonçalves, the wind generator consultant and the meeting with another HT cable action group. Media briefing material was discussed, and the forthcoming meeting with the President of Sta. Catarina council
The priority would now be the HT cables rather than the wind turbines. After the decision of the Dept. of Environment to accept REN's proposals, action on the ground would soon follow. Acting on advice from the other action group, a national protest campaign would be organised. Alongside, this a local awareness campaign would be set in motion.
The priority would now be the HT cables rather than the wind turbines. After the decision of the Dept. of Environment to accept REN's proposals, action on the ground would soon follow. Acting on advice from the other action group, a national protest campaign would be organised. Alongside, this a local awareness campaign would be set in motion.
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