Paul Franchi can understand why some of the local community is unhappy about the prospect of a new power line passing near town, but he thinks people should consider the positives that will come with the line’s construction, too.

For Mr Franchi, the pros of the proposed new power line were being overlooked and under represented in the community’s discussion on the issue and he said he wanted to give a voice to the people who welcomed the upgrading.

“We’ve got to look forward,” Mr Franchi said.

“There are positive things about the line, too.”

Mr Franchi said he felt the upgrading of the power line infrastructure would attract new and bigger business in town. He also said he felt it would bring an economic boost for Tenterfield while the line was being constructed with local contractors and earth movers picking up some of the labour and workers from out of town staying and eating locally.

“I think that there are negatives and there are positives, but my view is that it should go ahead. The landowners are not going to lose their land and the power lines are not going to be put on top of people’s houses,” Mr Franchi said.

“But we need to expand the infrastructure to allow for population growth, too. I mean, we don’t want to be losing power like they have been in Sydney this year.”

B What is your opinion on the proposed new power line? Write to the Tenterfield Star at Box 15, Tenterfield, NSW, 2372 or email us at editor.tentstar@ruralpress.com