Infrastructure

Geoff Helisma. After many years of secret negotiations between Clarence Valley Council and Essential Energy, Coffs Harbour City Council and CVC will each hold a 50 per cent share of “the disused Nymboida Hydro Power Scheme and associated water licences” once the deal is settled ... However, it seems that recommissioning the hydro infrastructure to generate electricity is unlikely to proceed.

Emma Pritchard. Grafton Fire Station is among 30 across the state outlined in a proposal by Fire and Rescue NSW to be temporarily taken offline in the event of staff shortages ... If implemented, Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Deputy Captain Chris Rumpf said the proposal could jeopardise the safety of residents who rely on the service.

Mark Knowles. Cape York residents now have unprecedented access to specialist medical care and diagnostics via a new mobile health clinic operated by Heart of Australia. Its new truck, “HEART 4” will see specialists from all over the country unite to give residents in Cooktown and the southern Cape access to cardiology, sonography, cardiac monitoring, sleep diagnostics and respiratory services.

Yesterday  Yanchep News Online  reported Opposition Transport spokesman Shane Love had called for the McGowan Government to answer legitimate questions about whether the Yanchep rail extension was on budget and on time. Today in his first Budget as Treasurer the Premier Mark McGowan said as well as the Yanchep rail extension being deferred one year the Joondalup Light Auto Workshop had also been deferred one year with completion now expected in mid‑2024.

Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Port of Townsville was a key piece of infrastructure when it comes to developing hydrogen exports. “Sun Metals is one of Townsville’s most innovative businesses and it’s exciting to have their sister company, Ark Energy, plan to export renewable hydrogen to South Korea from Queensland’s publicly-owned port,” Mr Stewart said.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has increased daily releases from Hume Dam to 31GL to manage airspace. The flow rate will keep Murray River levels similar to what they have been in the past few days – a little above channel capacity but well below minor flood level at Albury. The release rate is likely to change in response to changing conditions in the catchment.

CleanCo Queensland has signed on to take power from the Dulacca Renewable Energy Project, bringing 150 new jobs to the Western Downs. The publicly-owned renewable energy company has signed the agreement to take power from the Octopus Australia-owned Dulacca Wind Farm, which will see up to 180 megawatts of renewable energy generated.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 30 August 2021 by video teleconference. The meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston with all members present ... the Authority released the mid-year  report card on the Basin Plan. This is the sixth report card produced by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and responds to community feedback seeking short and succinct updates on water reform progress.

The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.

The first air service between Broome and Derby took to the air on 16 August 2021, providing Derby travellers with air access to Perth for the first time since 2016 via connecting flights from Broome.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has started releasing a small volume of water from Hume Dam to maintain airspace for the inflows expected from rain forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology over the coming months.

Nationals Senators have announced they will move amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act to remove Australia’s prohibition on nuclear energy.

The hunt is on to find the hydrogen skills and businesses to join the renewable fuel supply chain that will create jobs in Toowoomba and the Western Downs.Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni today announced a partnership between publicly-owned power generator CS Energy and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to increase local participation in the hydrogen industry.

The Rous County Council decision to remove the proposed Dunoon Dam from our region's water security options has again sparked controversy, as you will see from some of the articles and letters to the editor in this edition. It is perhaps unfortunate that we may have lost an opportunity for many social, environmental and community benefits that could have been developed alongside the dam project. It is quite possible to ‘do dams well’, with a vision for 21st-century water security that mitigates or compensates for any losses experienced.

ASX-listed NRW Holdings Ltd has been appointed to deliver mining giant Rio Tinto’s first fully-owned solar farm, as the mining group moves on its promise to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The 34-MW solar photovoltaic project, is to be built at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

WA Water Minister Dave Kelly has announced the official completion of the Albany to Denmark pipeline, securing Denmark's long-term water supply in the face of climate change.