10 July 2002 Basslink Gets Enviromental Approval The Joint Advisory Panel investigating the Basslink project has recommended that the project proceed.
In its final report released today, the Panel has recommended that each of the Commonwealth, Victorian and Tasmanian Governments approve Basslink.
Hydro Tasmania has welcomed the recommendation and called for the three Governments to grant final approval for the project as soon as possible.
"The final Panel report is great news," Hydro Tasmania's Chief Executive Officer Geoff Willis said today.
"The Joint Advisory Panel has conducted an independent examination of the environmental, economic and social implications of Basslink."
"The Panel's work represented the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment of any major energy project in Australia's history.
"Its recommendation that the project be approved means that it recognises the very real benefits Basslink will bring to Tasmania, Victoria and the nation as a whole."
"The Panel's recommendation also means that it has accepted all the mitigation strategies put forward by the project proponent, Basslink Pty Ltd, and Hydro Tasmania," Mr Willis said.
"The decision to adopt the metallic return option for the monopole cable technology removed the final environmental hurdle for the project."
"We now call on the Tasmanian, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to consider the Panel's recommendation as expeditiously as possible and give their final approval so that the construction of Basslink can commence and the benefits of Basslink can be realised."
"This is an historic day. A lot of people have invested huge intellectual and emotional capital into seeing this project come to fruition and Hydro Tasmania is delighted we can now move forward."
"The development of Basslink will unlock Tasmania's wind potential and cement the State's position as Australia's renewable energy powerhouse," Mr Willis said.
Released by Helen Brain (03) 6230 5746
Basslink - Key Points from Joint Advisory Panel's Final Report Panel recommends the three Governments (Commonwealth, Tasmania and Victoria) approve the Basslink project. Panel agrees that benefits of Basslink are real and substantial. These include: Basslink will enable Tasmania to enter the National Electricity Market and earn significant revenue. Basslink will assist Victoria to meet peak electricity demand. Basslink will improve economic growth potential for Tasmania. Basslink will introduce competition into the Tasmanian electricity market. Basslink will provide drought protection for the Tasmanian electricity system. Wholesale electricity prices are likely to be lower than they would be without Basslink. Panel concluded overhead transmission lines are appropriate technology and recommends overhead transmission corridors in Tasmania and Victoria. Panel recommended an additional 5.2 km of undergrounding, which Basslink Pty Ltd has accepted. This takes the underground section of the Victorian line from 1.3 to 6.5 km. Panel accepts that choice of monopole cable with metallic return eliminates the generation of electric fields and significantly reduces magnetic fields, with a consequential reduction in any impacts on marine flora and fauna and on ships' navigation. Panel recommends monitoring of marine environment by a Bass Strait Environment Review Committee. Panel is satisfied metallic return is an acceptable mitigation measure against stray current corrosion. Panel accepts that there are no significant Basslink impacts on World Heritage Area values. Panel has accepted Hydro Tasmania's riverine mitigation and monitoring measures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This project has undergone the most rigorous scrutiny of any major energy project in Australia's history. The umpire has delivered the verdict. We accept this and now call on the three Governments to give expeditious approval for the project. We are now well on the way to unlocking Tasmania's world-class wind potential and taking our renewable energy to the National Electricity Market.
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