A key hyperlink within the nationwide electrical energy community will considerably enhance the chance of lethal blazes in areas nonetheless recovering from the Black Summer bushfires, a brand new report says.
The report back to be launched on Wednesday requires the federal and NSW governments to power the $3.3 billion HumeLink mission underground, somewhat than having wires operating over bushland and prime farmland.
One of the state’s largest power infrastructure initiatives, the 500-kilovolt transmission line is predicted to extend switch capability between southern NSW and higher Sydney and change into a crucial hyperlink within the National Electricity Market.
Bill Kingwill, from the grassroots group Stop, Rethink HumeLink which commissioned the report, stated an overhead HumeLink would exacerbate bushfire danger already rated “above normal” by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council.
“The HumeLink towers proposal is based on flawed and short-sighted economic thinking, and ignores the findings of numerous bushfire inquiries and Transgrid’s own assessment that there is a high degree of bushfire risk along parts of the route,” the volunteer firefighter stated.
“It is well recognised in several recent bushfire inquiries that overhead powerlines not only start deadly bushfires, but also hamper our efforts to fight them because of the clear dangers that they present to volunteer firefighters on the ground and in the air.”
Andrea Sturgess, whose property close to Batlow was devastated within the Dunns Road fireplace of January 2020, stated there was no means recognized she and husband Paul might defend their property in a fireplace if HumeLink proceeds as deliberate.
Existing traces crossing her property thwarted fireplace crews on land and within the air from aiding them in 2020, she stated.
“Our strong message to (everyone) is just put it underground,” Mrs Sturgess stated.
The $11.5 billion price ticket for a subterranean HumeLink is vastly over-inflated, the group preserve.
But community operator Transgrid says going underground was “unsustainable” for value and time causes.
Higher prices can be handed to shoppers whereas the additional years spent placing the mission beneath floor would threaten the well timed connection of latest renewable power and associated important new interstate connections to the nationwide grid.
“It is essential that the infrastructure is completed by 2026 to secure the network before the ageing power stations are decommissioned,” it stated.
“A significant delay would put the energy security and stability of large parts of eastern Australia at risk of failure.”
The report might be launched in Wagga Wagga by Mr Kingwill, native MP Joe McGirr and bushfire survivors.
