Powering Up The South-West
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur has expressed her disappointment at the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) decision not to support the upgrade of existing single phase power infrastructure in Tyrendarra, Strathdownie, Cape Bridgewater and Gorae West.
The AER’s ‘Consumer Challenge Panel’ chose not to support Powercor’s $9m proposal to upgrade 85km of existing single phase network to three phase power, a project which would have improved resilience and capacity for more than 1000 customers and opened the way to industrial growth and the increased use of renewable power in the area.
Mrs McArthur said: “This choice highlights a flaw in the system. Failing to upgrade a system because of the low number of users in itself prevents any future growth. It’s a circular argument which will see communities in the south-west condemned to remain forever with single-phase power.”
“I supported Powercor’s proposal in January last year, and wrote this month to the AER to argue they should look beyond such short-sighted criteria. Support for the proposal from the community has been overwhelming. A huge amount of expansion would be unlocked by this upgrade, from farming to manufacturing and renewables generation – as well as vastly improving capacity and resilience for 1100 homes.”
“Investing in enabling infrastructure, which increases efficiency and unleashes new business growth is absolutely key to the future of the regions in Victoria. In fairness the AER recognise this, and in their decision have suggested the State Government ought to step in to fund measures such as these, instead of the entire cost being transferred to household energy bills.”
“I call on the Andrews Government to do as the AER, the community, Powercor – and indeed common sense – all demand, and support the upgrade. This kind of capital investment, which creates lasting benefit, should be the highest priority use for Victorian taxes. It is the definition of investing for the future, stimulating growth which will repay the initial cost many times over during the lifetime of the asset.”
“We need to see solid investment in infrastructure in the regions, not the kind of eye-catching, politically correct, short-term, Melbourne-based initiatives which simply add jobs to the public payroll but do little to add value to our economy, and do nothing at all for rural Victoria. Ministers need to show they can look beyond the tram-tracks, and commit now to this transformational investment in South-West Victoria.
ENDS
15 January 2021