Release Date: 08 December 2006
Western Power today announced it will use a new highly consultative approach to choosingmer its transmission line route needed for the Geraldton region to meet the rapidly increasing demand for power.
Land owners and community members will be invited to choose the corridor of land they think will be the best environmental, social and economic option. Western Power will then draft possible line route options within the chosen corridor.
"This is the first time we have gone to a community and said we need to connect power from point A to point B, and we want you, the community, to tell us which path we should take," said Western Power Major Projects Coordinator, Mr Ian Buchanan.
"Western Power is placing community input as a very high priority.
"Landowners, businesses, government bodies and community members are all invited to have their say on where the Eneabba to Moonyoonooka transmission line should run," he said.
The first transmission line design parameter workshop was held with local councils and community representatives on 4 December in Geraldton followed by a workshop in Dongara on 5 December. The final workshop for this initial project phase is scheduled for Perth on 11 December.
Other interested parties, including members of the community will be invited to forums in February where they will have the opportunity to assist Western Power in the further planning of the transmission line.
The new 330kV transmission line will be constructed between Eneabba and a new terminal substation to be built in Moonyoonooka.
The rapid economic development in the mid-west has escalated the need for the transmission line, which will provide for the increasing demand for power and connect the growing number of potential energy suppliers in the region.
The line will also improve the overall reliability of the region's electricity supply. Electricity growth forecasts for the region indicate the transmission line will be required by November 2010.
"This project is the largest that Western Power has undertaken in twenty years.
"Western Power has appointed Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to assist in the line route selection and consultation process.
The information gathered at the three December design parameter workshops will be used by SKM to prepare information for community workshops planned for February 2007.
"I encourage interested people to attend the community workshops. It is most important that we hear of community preferences for the line route and to have their say about the infrastructure that will be built in the region" Mr Buchanan said.
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
Page update on 19 December 2006
