A Reader …
And …
OBJECTIONS to Hydro Tasmania’s plans to demolish the historic wooden stave pipeline at Lake Margaret close today, WEDNESDAY, 26 July.
Lake Margaret is the second oldest power station in the southern hemisphere and the pipeline is possibly the largest king billy structure of its kind in the world.
Written objections to David Metcalf, General Manager of West Coast Council:
Objections can be a simple sentence of objection. Objectors may want to cite the basis of the objection, such as the perceived value of the pipeline, and that the station, which closed on 30 June should remain open as the second
oldest power station in the southern hemisphere.
Tim Morris
MEDIA RELEASE
Tim Morris MHA
Wednesday, 26 JULY 2006
HISTORIC PIPE LINE MUST BE SAVED
West Coast Council Should Stand Up to Hydro – as Deadline on Demolition Submissions Reached
The Tasmanian Greens have called on the West Coast Council to not capitulate to Hydro Tasmania and the State Government when deciding whether to allow demolition of the Lake Margaret Power Station historic pipeline, as the public submission deadline closes today.
Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MHA, said it was crystal clear that the West Coast community were vehemently against the removal of the historic pipeline with over twenty representations to the West Coast Council all against such a move, and no representations received backing Hydro’s plans.
Mr Morris also called for the Hydro to give a commitment to operate the Lake Margaret Power station and its pipeline while the assessment process was underway, rather than predict demolition approval and allow the asset to degrade by drying out.
“Hydro needs to go back to the drawing board to find another way to achieve the efficiency gain that they want from the Lake Margaret Power Station without destroying the pipeline, which is a significant part of the heritage value of the scheme, and in the meantime the plant should be kept operational,” Mr Morris said.
“The West Coast Council have received over twenty submissions on Hydro’s application to demolish the pipeline, which is a substantial involvement by the community, and we believe that Hydro should heed those concerns and rethink their application.”
“It is also very important that Hydro gives a commitment to maintain the power station at operational levels while the assessment process is underway, instead of pre-empting a particular outcome by letting the asset deteriorate to a point where it cannot be restarted if the Council rejects the Hydro’s application to demolish the historic pipeline.”
Mr Morris said that the Hydro’s application would be assessed under the West Coast Council planning process, and the Council referred the application to the Heritage Council for their assessment of any cultural impacts.
“The wood stave pipeline, which was constructed in the 1930s and brought to Lake Margaret by horse and cart is widely believed to be the largest King Billy pine structure of its kind in the world.”
“At the end of the day, the immediate fate of the Lake Margaret Power Station is in the hands of the West Coast Councillors.”
