Dr LIM - 2005-08-18
The contract work on the Labor government’s much-promised undergrounding of power project was described was described as having slipped during estimates a month ago, and now has come to a dead stop and will not start again until next year. Costs have blown out by almost 30%. Contractors’ equipment lies idle. Were you advised before the election that this project would not be able to be delivered this year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I know that you, Madam Speaker, have a very direct interest in this particular issue - and so do I. I am very pleased to see this government making a commitment to underground powerlines across Darwin over a 20-year period, starting in Nightcliff. As a candidate in the 1994 election, it was something I ran very hard on. I am very pleased to see those powerlines going underground in Nightcliff, not only to the benefit of the residents but, in living in an area that is prone to cyclones, it is certainly going to be a big improvement in safety issues in the event that we do have another cyclone.
Yes, costs have gone up. We are working across government - I am working with the Treasurer - to re-assuage government’s position on this. We have committed $3m a year in the budget to see this underground program completed over 20 years. However, costs have gone up and it is an issue that we are re-assessing. However, the issue for the residents of Nightcliff is, the work is being done and powerlines have gone underground.
We know the CLP refused to do that. In 1987, in the lead-up to the election, they promised to underground one street in Darwin - Bougainvillea Street, I believe it was. One street was all that they would do. Prior to the last election, we know the then Leader of the Opposition, and the then member for Drysdale, who was the shadow spokesperson for this particular project, said that they would scrap the project; that it was not worth doing and it was too costly.
The costs were estimated at approximately $8900 per lot. At present, the cost is averaging around double that. Therefore, there is a reassessment, with an absolute commitment to the residents of Darwin that this project will continue. It will continue, because we have made a commitment, unlike the CLP, who undergrounded one street and, once they were re-elected, they dropped the project like a hot potato. T, hey opposed the project in the lead-up to the last election.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I know that you, Madam Speaker, have a very direct interest in this particular issue - and so do I. I am very pleased to see this government making a commitment to underground powerlines across Darwin over a 20-year period, starting in Nightcliff. As a candidate in the 1994 election, it was something I ran very hard on. I am very pleased to see those powerlines going underground in Nightcliff, not only to the benefit of the residents but, in living in an area that is prone to cyclones, it is certainly going to be a big improvement in safety issues in the event that we do have another cyclone.
Yes, costs have gone up. We are working across government - I am working with the Treasurer - to re-assuage government’s position on this. We have committed $3m a year in the budget to see this underground program completed over 20 years. However, costs have gone up and it is an issue that we are re-assessing. However, the issue for the residents of Nightcliff is, the work is being done and powerlines have gone underground.
We know the CLP refused to do that. In 1987, in the lead-up to the election, they promised to underground one street in Darwin - Bougainvillea Street, I believe it was. One street was all that they would do. Prior to the last election, we know the then Leader of the Opposition, and the then member for Drysdale, who was the shadow spokesperson for this particular project, said that they would scrap the project; that it was not worth doing and it was too costly.
The costs were estimated at approximately $8900 per lot. At present, the cost is averaging around double that. Therefore, there is a reassessment, with an absolute commitment to the residents of Darwin that this project will continue. It will continue, because we have made a commitment, unlike the CLP, who undergrounded one street and, once they were re-elected, they dropped the project like a hot potato. T, hey opposed the project in the lead-up to the last election.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016