Mr BALDWIN - 1994-10-06
I understand that connection of the electricity supply to 2 new mines in the Top End will have positive spin-offs for a range of towns and communities in the region, most notably the residents of Pine Creek. What benefits will accrue to Territorians through the addition of 2 major new customers of the Power and Water Authority?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, in continuing its programs in recent years to extend electricity reticulation to various parts of the Territory to assist in development, including mining operations, PAWA has entered into a long-term supply agreement with both the Union Reefs goldmine at Pine Creek and Rustler's Roost mine on old Mount Bundey Station. The addition of those 2 major consumers is quite significant in itself. The Union Reefs mine is located 12 km north of Pine Creek. It will open in the next couple of months and will come onstream as a producing mine early next year. It has a projected lifespan of at least 10 years. The electricity supply was
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connected last week following an agreement between PAWA and the operators of the 132 KV transmission line, NT Power, and the mine developer. Under the agreement, NT Power will fund, build, operate and maintain a substation at a cost of $1.1m to allow for the connection of the Union Reefs mine.
PAWA is erecting a connecting powerline from the 132 KV transmission line to the existing Pine Creek Power Station. Once it is fully commissioned, generation of electricity supplies to the mine and the township of Pine Creek will be possible from Channel Island, Katherine or the Pine Creek Power Station. Pine Creek customers will benefit from increased reliability and additional development opportunities as a result of the improvements in the supply of electricity to the town. It is significant also that the mining company will provide funding for the Power and Water Authority to allow it to upgrade the water supply filtration and chlorination facilities at Pine Creek. This agreement recognises the increased demands on the water supply caused by the new mine.
In a similar light, residents in the Corroboree Park and Mount Bundy regions will benefit from an agreement signed by the Power and Water Authority and the operators of Rustler's Roost mine. The electricity supply to the mine was first installed using remote generating sets from 1 August this year. I am pleased to say that these sets have been superseded following the installation of a further 45 km of new high voltage line from the Humpty Doo substation and the construction of a new substation near the mine site. I understand that connection using that system was undertaken over the last week or so.
The combined cost of these developments is $1.85m and the net result of the major upgrading work will be improved supplies for PAWA customers at Corroboree Park, Mount Bundy and in the surrounding areas. In coming years, we will see increased employment opportunities and further development of the mining industry in those 2 areas. The works that have been undertaken by PAWA in providing electricity supplies to these 2 mines is yet another illustration of the pro-active arrangements that are put in place by this government, its authorities and its departments.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, in continuing its programs in recent years to extend electricity reticulation to various parts of the Territory to assist in development, including mining operations, PAWA has entered into a long-term supply agreement with both the Union Reefs goldmine at Pine Creek and Rustler's Roost mine on old Mount Bundey Station. The addition of those 2 major consumers is quite significant in itself. The Union Reefs mine is located 12 km north of Pine Creek. It will open in the next couple of months and will come onstream as a producing mine early next year. It has a projected lifespan of at least 10 years. The electricity supply was
Page 196
connected last week following an agreement between PAWA and the operators of the 132 KV transmission line, NT Power, and the mine developer. Under the agreement, NT Power will fund, build, operate and maintain a substation at a cost of $1.1m to allow for the connection of the Union Reefs mine.
PAWA is erecting a connecting powerline from the 132 KV transmission line to the existing Pine Creek Power Station. Once it is fully commissioned, generation of electricity supplies to the mine and the township of Pine Creek will be possible from Channel Island, Katherine or the Pine Creek Power Station. Pine Creek customers will benefit from increased reliability and additional development opportunities as a result of the improvements in the supply of electricity to the town. It is significant also that the mining company will provide funding for the Power and Water Authority to allow it to upgrade the water supply filtration and chlorination facilities at Pine Creek. This agreement recognises the increased demands on the water supply caused by the new mine.
In a similar light, residents in the Corroboree Park and Mount Bundy regions will benefit from an agreement signed by the Power and Water Authority and the operators of Rustler's Roost mine. The electricity supply to the mine was first installed using remote generating sets from 1 August this year. I am pleased to say that these sets have been superseded following the installation of a further 45 km of new high voltage line from the Humpty Doo substation and the construction of a new substation near the mine site. I understand that connection using that system was undertaken over the last week or so.
The combined cost of these developments is $1.85m and the net result of the major upgrading work will be improved supplies for PAWA customers at Corroboree Park, Mount Bundy and in the surrounding areas. In coming years, we will see increased employment opportunities and further development of the mining industry in those 2 areas. The works that have been undertaken by PAWA in providing electricity supplies to these 2 mines is yet another illustration of the pro-active arrangements that are put in place by this government, its authorities and its departments.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016