The word is out that Launceston's CEO doesn't think that power generation at Duck Reach is a goer. Oh my goodness, upon who's 'expert advice' is basing his apparent assertions on?
Rumour has it that like anyone in his position who has formed a view, he has been in some dark place having a chat with himself. In order that he can guarantee to council that the advice he offers is 'expert', he must seek it. The sanctity of dark places for a chat with one's self is unbeatable if you want to cut corners and give way to your intuitions – it also saves having to look for a real expert.
Rumour has it that like all nay-sayers, he is raising the spectre of 'Aboriginal sacred sites' and mythical 'threatened bugs, frogs and worms' to back up his assertions in the full knowledge he'll find them coming out of the woodwork when and if needed. These may be issues but issues that are manageable with the application of sensitive negotiation.
However, as they say "if it is too hot in the kitchen get out"! In any event if you are pulling more than the State's Premier, salary wise, there must be enough room on your plate to deal with this kind of issue – that's what brings in the big money.
What's really needed is a full, frank and fearless consultation within the community where council might well find a goodly supply of credentialed experts who'll give freely of their time and 'expertise' – the stuff he is bereft of. This sort of thing needs to be done in open, transparent and accountable way. Chance would be a fine thing!
But the rumour mill on this seems to be working overtime. As is the way in local communities somebody who knows somebody who has a 'reliable source', the rumour is that Launceston's CEO, paraphrased,"has enough on his plate without this sort of thing". If true, and it's plausible, and if its not then it seems likely, that's how rumours go.
Back in 2012 the Mayor and Deputy Mayor did start such a process. Read this article below and consider where we have come to, why and who might have as they say, "skin in the game".
In 2020 against the background of the mounting evidence that the climate emergency is actually upon us, 'duck shoving', albeit a bureaucratic artform, is not what is needed. What is needed at a local level is for communities, and their representative local governing bodies, to step up to the plate and get on with it. There is no place for laziness, backsliding or apparently profitable opportunities delivering fiscal benefits to a few – none at all.
As well, if there is a declared 'CLIMATE EMERGENCY' it, one would think, be an imperative to get on with the task of generating clean energy to meet community needs and aspirations – imperatives indeed. For some perspective read the 2012 Examiner article below.
FROM THE EXAMINER 2012 LAUNCESTON aldermen will vote on Monday on whether to spend $17,500 investigating a redevelopment of the Duck Reach power station.
Hydro Tasmania, which does not want to take up the project, outlined three options the redevelopment could take:
- A $4.11 million project generating four megawatts from one cumec of water.
- A $4.71 million project generating 4.83 megawatts from 1.5 cumecs of water.
- A $5.48m project generating 5.61 megawatts from two cumecs of water.
The council has owned the power station since it was built in 1895 but will most likely look to the private sector to redevelop the site if it proceeds with the idea.
Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski said council officers believed it would be viable for the council to tackle the project on its own and that it could potentially create a significant revenue stream.
"There may also be additional benefits as part of the federal government's carbon tax,'' he said.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said it was an exciting prospect. "I'm sure if we can get support from the public that something long term can be done with the power station,'' he said.
Driving the project has been Deputy Mayor Jeremy Ball who headed the committee behind the proposal. "If you are sitting on an asset that could provide significant revenue to the city with very low risk then why wouldn't you look in to that option,'' he said.
"It has so many positives the project that I think it will get up. Our decision on Monday will be how much of a part we play in that ... Its operation would depend on securing long-term water rights from Hydro", he [Ald. Ball] said.
Duck Reach was decommissioned in 1955 and was the first publicly owned hydro-electric power station in the southern hemisphere."
CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE
For those so inclined go to GOOGLE and do a search for " duck reach power station tasmania" and/or "duck reach power station tasmania examiner" and you will be amazed ar what can called up from the past.
NB the HYPERLINKS are right here!
T. Alen
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