Western Power confirms decision on new powerline to Geraldton
Release Date: 21 December 2007
Western Power has confirmed that Option 10 is the best route for the proposed 330,000 volt powerline from Perth to Geraldton after a range of reviews and assessments were conducted, including one by Landgate that investigated the value and use of land on Options 4 and 10.
A review of impacts on options 4 and 10 confirmed that, on balance, option 10 is the least impact option when considering all of the four factors: environmental, social, technical and financial.
Western Power’s Managing Director, Mr Doug Aberle said he was pleased that speculation in the community over the two corridors could now come to an end and that there was certainty about where Western Power would construct the line.
"Western Power acknowledges the cooperation and assistance provided by landowners in the project and we look forward to finalizing the remaining approvals for the line," Mr Aberle said.
Western Power received approval earlier this month from the Economic Regulation Authority to build the line and will refer the project for environmental approval in the first quarter of 2008.
Western Power’s Major Project’s Coordinator, Mr Ian Buchanan said that Western Power understood that wherever the line is located it would have an impact on farmers.
"The community can be assured, however, that agricultural impacts have been taken into consideration in determining the preferred corridor.
"Landgate, previously known as the Valuer General’s Office, reviewed and identified land use and potential land use, and assessed both options 4 and 10 in terms of their relative land values and use.
"Landgate found very little variation overall in the land value on a hectare-by-hectare basis.
"We also understand from Landgate that there is a direct relationship between land value and the agricultural economic return for that land and this links directly to land use.
"By analysing data from both Landgate and the Mid West Powerline Action Group Western Power determined that the annual economic impact per-kilometre was only 4.5 per cent higher on Option 10 than Option 4, or $182 per-kilometre more expensive.
"Western Power and its consultants SKM determined that when balanced with the environmental, technical, other economic and other social factors the difference in agricultural economic impact was not enough to shift the line route to option 4.
"We understand this is disappointing for some members of the Mid West Powerline Action Group, who wanted to have the line moved to Option 4.
"Economic impacts will be factored into the easement compensation assessments", Mr Buchanan said.
Energy Minister, Fran Logan said he was pleased to hear that Western Power will be working closely with landowners to ensure, where possible, impacts on farming operations are minimized.
"As part of that process, Western Power will aim to locate the powerline along fence lines and boundaries wherever reasonably possible.
"I am confident that the process used by Western Power to determine the least impact location for the powerline has been thorough and fair," Minister Logan said.
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