Economy
Broken promises. Power mad.
Pin pulled on funding for housing project
BY LUCY JOHANNSOHN
02 Feb, 2011 01:00 AM
THE State Government will not deliver on a $1.3million funding pledge towards a Wynyard affordable housing project in what is yet another broken election promise for the region.
The Spencer Park Incorporated affordable housing project was on track to build 13 new units specifically for the elderly by the end of June.
However, Minister for Human Services Cassy O’Connor said in a statement yesterday the funding had been withdrawn because the not-for-profit organisation failed to submit an updated business plan last July.
“The Housing Innovation Unit met with the proponents of Spencer Park in July last year asking for an updated business plan to allow a proposal to go to Treasury for the release of funding,” she said.
“Unfortunately, that information was only provided last month, and even then, it was lacking the detail needed.
“As a result, the department advised the proponents that the funding would no longer be made available.”
However, Spencer Park Incorporated president Richard Muir-Wilson said the first he heard of the need for the plan was not until November.
“We submitted the plan and then we hadn’t received any indication that anything was wrong before the Monday before last with the email to say the funding was no longer available,” he said.
“The designs were done, the development applications had been submitted to council – unlike other housing projects around Tasmania, this one was right on track,” he said.
Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest slammed the State Government’s decision yesterday, saying it had misled the people of Wynyard.
“For the government to suddenly say that there is no money available is misleading and a huge slap in the face to the Wynyard community – the people who have worked hard to make this project happen and the elderly people who have gone through the process of selling their homes to move into these units,” she said.
Ms O’Connor said she had agreed to meet with the Spencer Park Incorporated board early next week.
New Deputy Premier Bryan Green made the $1.3million election commitment last February.
Cats lap up Hydro cash DAMIEN BROWN | February 02, 2011 12.01am
HYDRO is spending between $250,000 and $500,000 as a major sponsor of the Geelong Cats AFL team — as escalating power prices sting Tasmanian households and businesses.
The company that sponsors the Cats, Hydro’s retail arm Momentum, has also been selling power to Victorians for up to 25 per cent less than Tasmanians can buy it.
Liberal leader Will Hodgman, ironically a staunch Cats supporter, has lashed out at the spending he described as a “waste” and a slap in the face for mums and dads who are trying to cope with rising power prices in Tasmania.
“Tasmanians will be scratching their heads as to how it is that not only are Victorians paying less for our electricity, we are also sponsoring one of their footy teams,” Mr Hodgman said.
“What Tasmanians need is action to reduce the cost of electricity, which is why we will pursue competition in the retail electricity sector.”
Hydro spokesman Ian Colvin defended the sponsorship spend, saying the company’s business had grown by 10 per cent in the Geelong area over the past 12 months and a sponsorship deal was part of being a “good corporate citizen”.
INDEPENDENT EXPERT ENERGY PANEL APPROPRIATE BODY
To Provide Objective Assessment of Full Retail Competition
Kim Booth MP
Greens Energy spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today said that the current independent Expert Panel into Tasmania’s electricity sector, was the appropriate body to tackle the issue of full retail competition for Tasmania’s domestic, small and medium business energy consumers.
Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that the Panel will also be able to test concerns raised by the Economic Regulator that full retail competition in the energy sector could result in increased power prices for Tasmanian households. [1]
“Knee-jerk, ad hoc and bad decisions made and supported by the Labor and Liberal parties over the last two decades, including their blind support for Basslink and the purchase of the Tamar Valley power station by Aurora, have clearly contributed to the current mess that is the state’s energy sector.”
“This is exactly why the Greens have repeatedly called for the development of a statewide energy strategy, and why we negotiated an independent expert energy review to inform the development of a sustainable and equitable strategy.”
“This Expert Energy Review panel is in the best position to make an objective cost benefit assessment of all considerations regarding the debate over introducing full retail competition for our households and small business energy consumers.”
“Most Tasmanians would welcome this issue being resolved by an independent body rather than being driven by partisan politics. Especially given the historic poor track record by both Labor and Liberal parties to make sound energy policy decisions that work in both the short and long term.”
“Both Labor and Liberal parties need to commit to avoiding either advocating for, or taking action, that could pre-empt the Panel’s valuable work, as defined by its terms of reference which was passed by the Parliament with tripartite support,” Mr Booth said.
Reference:
[1]http://www.energyregulator.tas.gov.au/domino/otter.nsf/LookupFiles/082680_Final_Report_Public_Benefit_Assessment_FRC_Tasmania_July_2008.pdf/$file/082680_Final_Report_Public_Benefit_Assessment_FRC_Tasmania_July_2008