Pac Hydro pushing on

Portland Observer
Wednesday 4/10/2006, Page: 3

Pacific Hydro is pushing full steam ahead with the Cape Bridgewater stage of its $300 million-plus Portland Wind Energy Project, despite threats to drop the project completely if the Liberal Party wins the November 25 State election.

Company corporate affairs manager Andrew Richards said the Liberals' commitment to repeal the Bracks Government's Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) would make the project unviable.

"The differences between the policies of the two parties could not be any starker regarding the effects on the PWEP," he said.

"However, we will not be making any decision to change direction on the PWEP until the result of the election is known." The company currently has an application seeking a permit to remove vegetation on its proposed Cape Bridgewater powerline route before the Glenelg Shire Council.

In his letter to the council, Mr Holloway said the report lodged by the company provided a detailed analysis of the vegetation along line sections totalling 20.5km located outside the PWEP development envelopes.

He said the report's main findings included:

• Proposed changes to native vegetation on road reserves managed by the council are referable to the Department of Sustainability and Environment - this affects 16.1km of line, comprising 0.315ha of removals, most of which is along the unconstructed section of the Thistle Rd reserve.
• The council's permission is required under the Environmental Significance Overlay to remove pasture grasses and environmental weeds from around 107 poles on roadsides, comprising 0.011ha, and to prune or remove six mature trees at Bridgewater Lakes Rd opposite Bridgewater Fire Station Rd.

The report also mentions DSE biodiversity officers advice of an increased risk of predation of the nationally endangered southern brown bandicoot by foxes, dogs and cats along the unmade section of the Thistle Rd reserve if the proposed access track was constructed.

While the bandicoot is listed as being endangered nationally, it is not listed in Victoria, despite the Portland region known to be home to one of the important populations.

Public submissions to the permit application can be made to the council until Friday. If there are no objections lodged, it will go through the council's normal planning processes. However, if there is an objection, the application will be considered by the council's delegated planning committee.