Nietta Action Group | Community organisation

Nietta Action Group

Phone: +61 418 242 156

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23.01.2022 Tasmanian economist John Lawrence argues (Talking Point in The Mercury on 16/09/2020) that the blind pursuit of Project Marinus shows that Tasmanian politicians have not learnt the expensive lesson of Basslink. He recaps the lesson and concludes that "energy policy in Tasmania has enriched a few at the expense of the majority." Full text in comments. https://www.themercury.com.au//2e44245b3fc75c471aa5ced27b5

22.01.2022 UPC's proposed high-voltage overhead transmission line from Robbins Island Road to Hampshire Hills have been referred for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. A big 'thank you' to The Advocate newspaper for keeping a close eye on the increasingly daunting transmission situation in the North West. The principal reason for the referral is the impact of the transmission line on many endangered species and ecological communities. Deta...ils of the referral decision can be accessed on the EPBC website. The link is given in the first comment. https://www.theadvocate.com.au//upc-transmission-line-en/" See more

21.01.2022 The communities in Victoria's Moorabool and Central Highlands region are fighting against a new overhead transmission line being put through their beautiful part of the world. Very similar story to ours. Check out the beautiful compilation of photos and song they have put together. https://www.facebook.com/MCHPoweralliance/videos/3879000818777606/

20.01.2022 The ink is barely dry on the Major Projects Bill and the relevant minister already flags proponents of transmission lines and wind generators as likely beneficiaries of accelerated development. Text in comment. https://www.theadvocate.com.au//energy-infrastructure-ke/

19.01.2022 This article in The Conversation, by Laura Sonter, James Watson and Richard Valenta, illustrates how the growth in renewable energy generation can be harmful to the environment as these technologies require a number of metals and minerals. This additional demand for mining is one way in which renewable energy poses a threat to biodiversity. The authors state that society is naive to the threats posed by significant growth in renewable energies to biodiversity in particular.... They conclude that "strong planning and conservation action is needed to avoid, manage and prevent the harm renewable energy development causes to the environment." We agree that renewable energy generation and transmission must not damage our already vulnerable biodiversity, and harm the natural places valued by Indigenous people and other communities. https://theconversation.com/renewable-energy-can-save-the-n

19.01.2022 TasNetworks' 2019-20 annual report documents that of >$5m spent on consulting services to advance Project Marinus, less than 3% went to Tasmanian firms. (p.75 of report--link provided). The numbers illustrate that despite all the hype about the supposed benefits of Project Marinus for our state, the reality is different: There is not much in it for us, not now, and not going forward, as an increasing body of expert reports articulates. https://www.tasnetworks.com.au//5992/19-20AnnualReport.pdf

15.01.2022 TasNetworks made Nietta Action Group aware of the impending establishment of a Community Benefits Fund (CBF), which would invest in social infrastructure to offset some of the inevitable environmental, social and economic impacts on the communities hosting new transmission infrastructure. Nietta Action Group supports such an initiative, in principle, IF (A) all efforts are being made to minimise impacts in planning, routing, design, construction, and operation of transmissi...on lines, (B) directly and indirectly affected landholders and businesses are fairly compensated for the impacts caused, and (C) if the design of the CBF adopts the following principles: (1) the CBF delivers real (NOT token) social investment; (2) investment by the CBF is co-designed with communities affected by transmission lines (NOT local councils), (3) investment by the CBF creates additional benefits (and is NOT used for cost-shifting) (4) investment by the CBF is ongoing for the lifetime of the transmission infrastructure (NOT a one-off ‘donation’), (5) the community is entrusted to implement and manage the CBF investment (and NOT just the recipient of decisions made elsewhere and by others), and (6) a transparent and independent review / research process accompanies the initiative.

14.01.2022 The taxpayer-funded investment in fast-tracking Marinus, announced in yesterday's COVID19-recovery budget, is a clear case of politics trumping economics, given the uncertain benefits and high risks associated with the project. The list of expert assessments raising concerns has been growing--see this article or refer to previous NAG posts.. Full text in comment. https://www.themercury.com.au//a37373f0d492b58ff2d274d8628

13.01.2022 EPURON has announced that it is in the early stages of planning a 80-turbine wind farm in the Guilford area, south of Burnie and east of Waratah (outline shown in map). EPURON spruiks the remote location because energy infrastructure there would have a low visual impact, stating that: * wind farms complement forestry land use * there are few people living in the vicinity... * there are existing 220 kV transmission lines nearby * there is good road connectivity We note that none of these parameters apply to the other location, which EPURON is eyeing off as a place for a wind farm: just outside Stanley. The turbines there would be higher than the Nut, an iconic coastal landmark in north-west Tassie, and new high-voltage overhead transmission lines would further impact the coastal scenery.

09.01.2022 Carbon sequestration as a means of justifying and extending the life and primacy of coal burning and gas fired powered stations over other renewable energy options, definitely does not deliver what it is spruiked to do... Angus Taylor says Australia has the world's largest carbon capture and storage project. Here's what he's not saying http://www.abc.net.au//angus-taylor-carbon-captur/12676732

08.01.2022 A sad day for Tasmania with the Major Projects Bill virtually sealed. It will be 'interesting' to see how the new laws play out. The legislation allows for proposed developments which are declared 'major projects' by either the developer of the TAS government to be fast-tracked. They will be assessed by a hand-picked panel rather than local councils and the normal appeals process has been abolished. https://www.themercury.com.au//0811124bed6d601e162190a4927

07.01.2022 The Victorian Energy Policy Centre conducted an analysis of the economic and greenhouse-gas dimensions of Project Marinus and Battery of the Nation. It adds to the growing list of expert reports which challenge the supposed benefits of Marinus and Battery of the Nation. Here’s the link to a 20-minute YouTube webinar summarising the results. Well worth listening to. Key results of the report:... * The project is significantly more expensive and less efficient than other forms of 'batteries'. * The project would generate a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions which are entirely avoidable: the project is an extension to existing Basslink and HydroTas operation, which uses cheap energy from Victorian coal generators to pump hydro in Tasmania--this is associated with large transmission losses through the system. The infrastructure represents a very large amount of embodied energy. * The multi-billion dollar investment would go predominantly to foreign companies and foreign countries who can manufacture, construct and implement the infrastructure. * Rather than generating thousands of jobs locally, the project would actually result in a net-loss of employment in Tasmania. Two reasons: (a) Tasmanian taxpayers and energy users stand to bear the cost and risk of the infrastructure which means there is less money available for job creation and (b) government money will be diverted away from more worthwhile job and welfare-generating projects. The analysis was conducted by Professor Bruce Mountain and Steven Percy, and was funded by the Bob Brown Foundation. Christine Milne is facilitating the webinar. https://youtu.be/yGCbHCV73Qg

03.01.2022 Extract from the Tasmanian Government's new T21 Tourism Action Plan (p.15). "Tasmania’s rare and beautiful landscape, recognised globally as the foundation of our brand, is why so many visitors come here. When Australians look to reconnect with nature and escape the uncertainty and challenges of urban life, Tasmania is a refuge. It is our competitive advantage over other Australian destinations. Our natural heritage draws visitors to Tasmania and across the island. ... The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, national parks and reserves are the major visitor attractions into regional Tasmania, underpinning local visitor economies. Tasmania’s nature will always underpin our destination marketing activities and is at the heart of our Come Down for Air brand." Why then, does that same government seem so intent on destroying those assets by promoting inappropriate infrastructure development and logging of native forests? https://www.t21.net.au//T21-Visitor-Economy-Action-Plan.pdf Photo of upper River Leven at Loongana