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Underground Is Prefered OptionBass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the announcement from the State Government of their preference for underground power lines for the desalination plant. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 2nd June 2009 - Back to News Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said that Council had always supported this option.
"We have always made it very clear to the Government that any option other than underground power lines would not be acceptable to our community," said Mr Bawden.
"The impact on our agricultural and tourism industries would be significant. We are very pleased to hear that the Government is now supporting the underground option."
Mr Bawden said that the Government announcement means that the proposed power line and water transfer pipeline could run on the same route.
"Being able to locate these lines together would significantly reduce the impact of the project," Mr Bawden explained.
"Obviously having underground power will look better than having huge power line towers running through the Bass Valley.
"It also means less vegetation will be disturbed or removed and far less impact on landowners and farming operations."
Cr Veronica Dowman, who represents the Bass Valley area, said local residents also welcomed the announcement.
"I know the communities along the length of the proposed power line route will be very pleased with this commitment from the Government," Cr Dowman commented.
"Our residents and members of the Power Grid Option Group (PGOG) have worked extremely hard over the past 18 months on this campaign.
"Alan Fraser (Chairman) and the PGOG have put together a strong case and I’m very relieved that the Premier has listened to their concerns."
The Government announcement contained a qualification that the underground power line option would be supported, unless it proved to be too costly or there was some other major constraint.
"Council would like to get a clear definition of what would be considered too costly or a major constraint," Mr Bawden stated.
Mr Bawden also expressed concern over the announcement by the Water Minister, Tim Holding, that an underground power line would only service the desalination plant.
"This is at odds with Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) own submission at the Environment Effects Statement hearings," said Mr Bawden.
"Their submission stated that ‘SP Ausnet is seeking a regional solution as part of the delivery of power to the desalination plant’, and that this would deliver significant benefits to this area."
Council has been lobbying the Government fiercely to ensure that the Bass Coast community is not disadvantaged by the desalination plant being located in the Shire.
"The Government needs to explain how the power supply needs of this region are going to be met," insisted Mr Bawden.
"DSE has said that this region is at or beyond power supply capacity, which is why we experience frequent brownouts and blackouts.
"The Government’s own figures show that Bass Coast should prepare for an average five year growth of 11 per cent of our current population, so clearly something needs to be done about the region’s power supply."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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