Comment Straghan MEC

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=30 BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=76 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Tulbagh Info Information</B></div> <div> Comment Straghan MEC</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=28 style=" border-top: 1px solid #0066CC; border-left: 1px solid #0066CC;border-right: 1px solid #0066CC; border-bottom: 1px solid #0066CC;" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=404 width="100%" style=" border-left: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="120" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#0099CC HEIGHT= 15 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="local_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tulbagh News Page 1"><U>Back to Local News</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> January 13, 2009</div> <bR> <div> <B>Statement from MEC Garth Strachan on the proposed Tulbagh/Eskom power line</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Residents of Tulbagh and Riebeek Valley are opposed to Eskom's proposed construction of a 520km electricity supply line from Victoria West in the Northern Cape to Cape Town, saying it will be a "total and utter disaster" .</I></div> <bR> <div> “The provincial government of the Western Cape supports any initiative that promotes the well being of local communities and the sustainability of the environment.</div> <bR> <div> “We do not appose the construction of an Eskom electricity supply line in the Tulbagh Valley, but want this to happen in an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable manner.</div> <bR> <div> “We need to achieve a win-win compromise Through proper consultation with all roleplayers, a win-win compromise must be reached where the need to supply power is balanced with the needs of the local community and the conservation of the environment.</div> <bR> <div> “We have engaged with the local tourism office, which is willing to assist Eskom to find a site for the power supply line that will not be aesthetically disruptive. We will have further conversations with all roleplayers involved to enable us to find an amicable solution.” </div> <bR> <div> Ends</div> <bR> <div> -- </div> <div> Glenda Nevill</div> <div> Oryx Media</div> <div> Email: glendan@oryxmedia.co.za</div> <div> Tel: 021 426 2342</div> <div> Cell: 082 776 5811</div> <div> www.oryxmedia.co.za</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>