Mr SETTER - 1996-10-10
Mr Speaker, you would be well aware, because I believe it is in your electorate, that the community of Mandorah and the people on Cox Peninsula have their electricity supplied via a cable that runs under Darwin Harbour. I recall that, a few years ago, an anchor latched on to that cable and caused some damage, and it had to be raised for repairs. I understand that some work is being done on that cable at this very moment. What work is being done?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Obviously, the member for Jingili has some concerns for the people on Cox Peninsula. That is in contrast with the views of the opposition who decried even that such a question should be asked. I am sure the people who live on Cox Peninsula will be well aware of the support that the Labor Party in the Northern Territory offers to them.
This morning, I went out to a barge which is anchored in Darwin Harbour between Emery Point and Mandorah, in a part of the harbour which is 30 m deep, where repairs are being carried out to an underwater power cable. The power which is supplied to Mandorah is conveyed via a submarine cable under the harbour. In fact, there are a couple of cables although only one is operating at present. The other was damaged originally in Cyclone Tracy and a new cable was put in place in 1981. In 1993, that too was damaged. It is quite an intricate cable, running in oil and sheathed in lead and copper. I was pleased to see skilled Territory workers carrying out the work so that the people at Mandorah may have a guaranteed power supply.
Mr Bailey: Is the oil that is coming out PCBs? Did any PCBs leak into the harbour?
Mr MANZIE: The member for Wanguri is not interested in this.
Mr Bailey: I am very interested.
Mr MANZIE: He does not care about Territorians. He does not care about finding out about activities that are occurring in the Territory and about activities of the government to ensure that Territorians receive appropriate services. He tries to denigrate those who are involved in the work. He is not interested in things that are being done for Territorians. He is not interested in how Territory taxes are being spent to benefit Territorians. He simply wants to make a loud noise. He is a waste of space in this House. He is certainly not productive as
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far as Territorians are concerned. He may not want to hear this answer, but there may be other people who would like to hear it.
There are a number of options for providing power to Mandorah and in carrying out that repair. The cost involved for the repair of the underwater cable is $0.5m. A transmission line from McMinns would cost $9m. A power station at Mandorah would cost around $4m and a totally new cable would cost $4m to $5m. The repair being carried out is in an area where the tides move very quickly. It was good to see Territory divers and Territory technicians involved on that repair work which will ensure that the government's commitment to Territorians at Mandorah will continue in respect of their power supply.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Obviously, the member for Jingili has some concerns for the people on Cox Peninsula. That is in contrast with the views of the opposition who decried even that such a question should be asked. I am sure the people who live on Cox Peninsula will be well aware of the support that the Labor Party in the Northern Territory offers to them.
This morning, I went out to a barge which is anchored in Darwin Harbour between Emery Point and Mandorah, in a part of the harbour which is 30 m deep, where repairs are being carried out to an underwater power cable. The power which is supplied to Mandorah is conveyed via a submarine cable under the harbour. In fact, there are a couple of cables although only one is operating at present. The other was damaged originally in Cyclone Tracy and a new cable was put in place in 1981. In 1993, that too was damaged. It is quite an intricate cable, running in oil and sheathed in lead and copper. I was pleased to see skilled Territory workers carrying out the work so that the people at Mandorah may have a guaranteed power supply.
Mr Bailey: Is the oil that is coming out PCBs? Did any PCBs leak into the harbour?
Mr MANZIE: The member for Wanguri is not interested in this.
Mr Bailey: I am very interested.
Mr MANZIE: He does not care about Territorians. He does not care about finding out about activities that are occurring in the Territory and about activities of the government to ensure that Territorians receive appropriate services. He tries to denigrate those who are involved in the work. He is not interested in things that are being done for Territorians. He is not interested in how Territory taxes are being spent to benefit Territorians. He simply wants to make a loud noise. He is a waste of space in this House. He is certainly not productive as
Page 1665
far as Territorians are concerned. He may not want to hear this answer, but there may be other people who would like to hear it.
There are a number of options for providing power to Mandorah and in carrying out that repair. The cost involved for the repair of the underwater cable is $0.5m. A transmission line from McMinns would cost $9m. A power station at Mandorah would cost around $4m and a totally new cable would cost $4m to $5m. The repair being carried out is in an area where the tides move very quickly. It was good to see Territory divers and Territory technicians involved on that repair work which will ensure that the government's commitment to Territorians at Mandorah will continue in respect of their power supply.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016