SECWA explored all possibilities for a power supply to the proposed Beenup mineral sands mine, Fuel and Energy Minister Geoff Gallop said today.
"Among the options that were examined were routes from Manjimup, including the path via Palings and Coronation Roads which is now being suggested by Liberal MLC Barry House," Mr Gallop said.
"It is nonsense for Mr House to suggest that SECWA would ignore this possibility.
"SECWA conducted an extensive evaluation of alternatives before it produced a short list of three routes which were the subject of the Consultative Environmental Review document released last year."
Dr Gallop said the Palings and Coronation Roads path was not pursued for a number of reasons. Among them was the Heritage listing of stands of karri which raised the possibility of an EPA recommendation for the undergrounding of the powerline.
Undergrounding the powerline was a principle reason for SECWA not proceeding with its preferred Manjimup option which generally followed Waistcoat Road.
Other factors against the Palings and Coronation Roads alternative included the very steep terrain and indirect route for the powerline which added significantly to the construction costs. The risk of erosion and spread of dieback from the disturbance of the forest were other factors.
Additionally, Coronation Road was a public road bound by a buffer zone. A powerline would have to be built outside the buffer zone and this would result in the clearing of more forest than the Waistcoat Road option.
"I have already expressed my deep concern about Mr House's move in the Legislative Council to stall the decision to build the powerline from Picton to Beenup along the Great North Road," Dr Gallop said.
"BHP's subsidiary, Mineral Deposits Ltd, made it very clear that they needed an early January decision on the power line if they were to go ahead with the $135 million Beenup project.
"If the Beenup plans fall through because of Mr House and his Liberal colleagues, they must bear full responsibility for the loss of 380 jobs."
