Hydro Tasmania will continue to meet with proponents of proposals to pipe water to the mainland but has not signed any agreement to pursue one particular project.
Manager System Enhancement Dr Mike Connarty said that despite media reports today, discussions with a Melbourne-based consortium were at a very informal and preliminary stage. While a draft Memorandum of Understanding had been proposed by the consortium, Hydro Tasmania would not progress or sign anything from any proponent until much more detail had been worked through.
“This particular proposal needs more work and we want much more detail about the potential impact on the environment, existing water users and the Tasmanian community in general, as well as the potential benefits to the State, if it went ahead,” Dr Connarty said.
“Water is a valuable resource. Hydro Tasmania had provided water supplies to irrigators for decades and is now working with the Government to increase access to water resources and provide greater water security for farmers. We would need to ensure that Tasmania’s interests are protected before any further consideration of this type of proposal.”
Dr Connarty urged proponents to do the necessary work on their projects before announcing details to the public. Talking up projects beyond where they had progressed to in reality would only lead to confusion and public cynicism.
“Hydro Tasmania is disappointed that such a proposal has been repeatedly raised in the public arena without due consideration to details,” he said.