Meeting questions VicGrid plans
Marian Haddrick. VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker met with a hundred concerned locals from Birchip and the surrounding area last Thursday at the Birchip Leisure Centre. Birchip is in the Regional Energy Zone (REZ) that is connecting supporting transmission infrastructure from Victoria’s west in Horsham to the north of the state in Red Hills.
Goonellabah Sewerage Scheme makes way for future housing growth
Lismore City Council has delivered a $7 million wastewater project, unlocking development opportunity for up to 600 new housing lots in Goonellabah. Completed in partnership with BASEC Engineering, DGP Water and Ledonne Constructions, the Pineapple Road Sewerage Scheme involved the installation of a new pump station and over four kilometres of pipeline, creating 30 local jobs.
Salisbury to Beaudesert rail planning summary report released: Mellish
The Australian and Queensland governments will be progressing further planning work to protect the future rail corridor between Salisbury and Beaudesert. The Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail study explored the long-term passenger and freight needs in the corridor and has recommended heavy rail as the best way to address forecast passenger demand.
When disaster strikes, new technology of Cells on Wheels, portable connection units to aid communication
During floods and fires not being able to communicate is scary and dangerous ... A new fleet of technology from the State Government will help communities be more prepared for disasters and better able to respond to bushfires, floods and other severe weather events.
Sheep in hard hats?! Wind turbines health hazard for farmers and sheep: McArthur
Serrated trailing edges have broken off wind turbines endangering CFA volunteers, farmers and livestock in the vicinity of the infrastructure. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur raised this issue in the Parliament citing it as dangerous and reckless. “My question for the Minister for Agriculture concerns news that turbines at the brand new Golden Plains wind farm are falling to pieces."
Waste gas-to-energy project to cut emissions in mining: Dick
The Miles Labor Government is backing Central Queensland’s sustainable future by investing in a new gas-to-electricity power project that will reduce mining emissions by more than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The project will expand the underground mine’s drainage system to capture more fugitive gas, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere.
New machine needed to meet challenges
In its latest update, Snowy Hydro has advised that a new tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be deployed to help keep the Snowy 2.0 project on its delivery timeline. New ground testing techniques have provided a better understanding of the full extent of a complex fault zone on the route of the 17km tunnel that will connect Snowy 2.0’s upper reservoir to its underground power station.
Open letter to CFA management, District Controllers, VFBV and CFA Brigades in Renewable Energy Zones
We are a collective of CFA Brigades in Districts 16 and 18 who have taken a position where our Brigade will not commit to operating on or around electricity generation and transmission infrastructure by taking a perimeter only defence position except for where lives or safety of public is threatened. Specifically, this is Renewable Energy Infrastructure (REI) being wind turbines, large-scale solar and battery installations, high voltage (220 kva plus) transmission lines and connection hubs.
Farmer installs flashing lights to warn traffic of cows crossing highway
Terry Toohey’s family have been dairy farmers at Woodview, west of Casino since 1901. Back then a busy Bruxner Highway didn’t cut through the green paddocks and cows didn’t have to risk being hit by a car or truck ... The chance of that happening again has been dramatically reduced with the installation of signs with flashing lights when the cows cross the road twice a day.
Parliament to examine transmission expansion
State Parliament’s Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee will conduct an inquiry proposed by the Liberals and Nationals into the expansion of Victoria’s high-voltage power transmission system. It will examine the expansion as proposed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), VicGrid and the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) as well as the expansion of Victorian transmission connections associated with the Victorian Government’s proposed “renewable energy zones”.
Galore solar farm operators begin early planning
Sean Cunningham. Galore is set to get a solar farm which will contain half a million solar panels, but it won’t be coming to fruition anytime soon. Electricity retail business Flow Power plans to construct the solar farm near Galore, however its Head of Project Development Mark Raymond said the planning is in the early stages.
Water security for Wilcannia
A drop in session was held at Baker Park last Thursday to inform the community of the progress of the proposed new bore to supplement the town water supply. Interestingly, the presenters, Maddy, Chris and Shaun, were able to explain a few details that probably have not been conveyed properly to the community.
Vital flood mitigation program extended
A program designed to reduce the risk and impact of flood events across towns in inland NSW has been extended thanks to a $3 million Australian Government grant ... NSW DCCEEW has identified 14 Local Government Areas across inland NSW where flood works pose known risks, and have received strong support for the program.
Sparks fly at Goomburra
On Saturday morning the owner of Long Neck Farm, Corie Ross prepared for a huge last day but found power to the Goomburra Valley had dropped. When he investigated, Corie discovered a phase from a power line had fallen and being live, had started a fire on a property and roadside.
Murray River group of councils advocate for community
Council leaders from Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Mildura, Loddon, Campaspe and Moira shires visited Canberra and Bendigo over the last two weeks, speaking to politicians and advisors on water management, renewable energy, housing and the funding of local government ... The latest round of buybacks was a pressing issue for the group.
Post Office closed due to lead contamination
Narrandera Post Office closed this week when lead contamination was identified in one of the back-of-house rooms during a routine check of the building. An Australia Post spokesperson said following health advice, the post office was closed and Australia Post was in the process of trying to get a temporary post office up and running to service the town.
Ergon calls for extra vigilance
Almost a dozen power poles have been lost in the past few months due to fires from what’s thought to have been a series of separate hazard reduction burns across the state. Energy Queensland Chief Operating Officer Paul Jordon said while hazard reduction burning is an essential tool for managing vegetation and reducing fire risks, it is crucial to exercise caution to prevent unintended electrical infrastructure damage.
VNI West land access agreements surpass 100: TCV, AEMO
Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) now has land access agreements in place for more than 100 properties in the VNI West draft corridor to allow important survey work to continue. The announcement of the preferred easement that will host the VNI West transmission line is expected in coming weeks ... "Our main objective is to find the most suitable location for the preferred easement that minimises impacts to farms and farm operations, balanced with consideration of the environment and other site constraints": VNI West Program Director Tony Hedley.
Ground broken on first renewable project in Hay
Clean Peak Energy has officially commenced construction of its Hay Solar Farm, adjacent to Hay Cemetery, east of Hay township. The advancement of the project was marked with an on-site sod turning, which brought together Clean Peak Energy executives and staff, Hay Shire Council and host landholders.
Minister Penny Sharpe visit
I want to thank all the community for making my recent visit to Lord Howe Island such a wonderful experience. Lord Howe Island is a special place, with a unique and rich history. But as you know, being so remote from the mainland has its challenges, as well as advantages.
Rookwood Weir water flowing to Central Queenslanders: Plibersek, Butcher
Rookwood Weir celebrated another milestone as Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher joined customers to celebrate water from Rookwood Weir flowing to Central Queensland irrigators. Customers for Australia’s newest major water infrastructure asset began accessing Rookwood Weir water in August 2024 … The weir is providing a significant boost to the region’s water security and will drive economic growth and job creation for generations to come.
Newstead energy: Community Q&A
Close to 50 members of the Newstead community participated in a question-and-answer session about the Newstead Community Energy Project on Thursday 22 August, following the launch of the new solar farm. Representatives from project partners Renewable Newstead and Flow Power were on hand to explain the thinking behind the partnership, some technological context and the benefits to consumers for joining the project.
