Fuel and Energy Minister Geoff Gallop today reassured landowners about the proposal to build a powerline from Picton to the Beenup mineral sands mine along Great North Road.
"SECWA is mindful of the concerns of landowners and every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the powerline," the Minister said.
"The route will follow existing roads and tracks wherever possible. For example, seven kilometres of the line is likely to be built in the unused railway reserve between Capel and the Ludlow Forest reserve.
"Where the line has to cross private property, compensation will be paid to the property owner after agreement is reached on the final position.
"The number of properties affected is likely to be less than 100 when the centre line is finished.
"Landowners will be able to continue to use the land within the easement to maintain productive capacity. However, buildings are not permitted within the easement as a safety precaution.
"Remnant vegetation on private properties will be avoided and the permission of the landowners to enter private property will be sought on all occasions."
Dr Gallop said SECWA had dropped the option of steel lattice towers to carry the cables. Concrete or wooden poles would be used to improve the aesthetics of the line.
Special attention would be paid to dieback control and the prevention of erosion during construction and maintenance.
An additional benefit of the new transmission line was the ability of SECWA to improve the quality of the electricity supplies to Augusta. A powerline from Beenup to Augusta would be built to augment the single supply line from Margaret River.
"Extensive efforts are being made to identify and resolve the concerns of South West residents," Dr Gallop said.
"The power supply is needed for an important job-creating resource development project and this transmission line is the best option."
