New transmission line corridor to Geraldton determined
Release Date: 02 July 2007
Western Power recently announced that corridor option 10 (PDF 4mb - large file) (a combination of the pink and gold routes) is the preferred corridor for its proposed transmission line between Eneabba and Moonyoonooka. The new transmission line will ultimately travel from Perth to Geraldton, reinforcing power supplies to the growing Mid West region.
Western Power's Major Project's Coordinator, Mr Ian Buchanan, said that over the past ten months Western Power had consulted extensively with the community and other stakeholders to determine a series of corridor options between the existing Eneabba substation and a proposed terminal substation at Moonyoonooka.
"Option 10 scored the highest in a comprehensive assessment that took into account social, cultural, environmental, economic and technical considerations," Mr Buchanan said.
"For the first time we engaged the community up front to assist us in determining a transmission line corridor.
"This outcome is the culmination of a lot of hard work from both the community and our people, we would like to thank them for their involvement, their input has been invaluable.
This announcement marks the start of the next phase of the proposed transmission line that will be the largest of its kind undertaken by Western Power in more than twenty years.
Western Power embarked on this process with no preferred line route or corridor.
The preferred corridor has been identified based on input from a variety of stakeholders via a series of meetings and workshops that commenced in September 2006.
The transmission line is required by November 2010 in order to provide for the rapidly increasing demands for power in the Mid West region.
"To ensure the best outcome was reached Western Power had an independent peer review conducted into the corridor selection process and a review of the final outcome. The early results from this review confirm that option 10 is the best outcome.
"Farmers have understandably asked us why we haven't used crown land to build the new transmission line.
"We had very clear direction from the Department of Environment and Conservation that the conservation estate is incompatible with development and should only be considered where no other options are available
"Therefore we were unable to choose an option that would take the powerline over conservation estate land.
Mr Brian Logan (Western Power's Project Officer) will be personally contacting each of the landowners directly affected by the chosen corridor.
Western Power will work with those affected landowners to help identify the most appropriate line route on their property.
If residents have any queries, please contact the project team on 1800 617 771 or email midwest330@westernpower.com.au.
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If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
