Logan energy supply to be strengthened by new power line

Special environmental conditions have been imposed on the approval a new power line to strengthen the reliability and security of Logan’s electricity supply, Energy Minister Mark McArdle announced today.

Mr McArdle said his decision to designate land for a sub-transmission line between Loganlea and Jimboomba included a number of conditions in recognition of environmental issues raised by Logan City Council and the community.

“These conditions will specifically ensure that work on the power line will be undertaken with best practice construction methods to mitigate social and environmental impacts,” he said.

Mr McArdle said the conditions are:
• clearing of remnant vegetation is kept to a minimum
• where possible, large trees in close proximity to the Logan River will be pruned rather than removed
• a riverbank protection strategy is developed and implemented for sections of the riverbank where structures are located
• appropriate revegetation and landscaping is undertaken to minimise environmental impacts around structures
• the design of poles and any associated works – such as green poles or shadowline conductors -  include measures to minimise the impact on visual amenity, and
• in cooperation with Logan City Council, like-for-like vegetation offsets will be undertaken within the Logan City Council area.

Mr McArdle said his decision was made after careful consideration of the issues, and he benefitted greatly from visiting the area earlier this year where he had the chance to speak with local residents and the Logan City Council first hand.

“I acknowledge there has been some community opposition to the project. However the reality is that taking no action would have left Logan without a reliable supply of electricity and placed the social and economic development of the region at risk,” he said.

“There are currently about 32,000 electricity customers in the Logan area at risk of power outages, with up to 9,000 customers at risk of remaining without electricity for up to eight hours if there is an outage of the existing line.

“An independent report undertaken by Oakley Greenwood determined that this power line is the most cost effective option to secure the region’s electricity needs.”

Mr McArdle said Energex would begin preliminary works before the end of the year, with the project expected to be completed toward the end of 2014.

“The Loganlea to Jimboomba power line finalises a land designation request made by Energex back in 2010 and will ensure a secure and reliable electricity supply for the Logan area, specifically the growing Mount Lindesay – Northern Beaudesert region,” he said.

Further information about the project, including the independent report, are available on the Department of Energy and Water Supply’s website at www.dews.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS] 28 November 2012

Media contact: Minister’s Office 07 3896 3691