ID :
16771
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 20:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16771
The shortlink copeid
Pipeline pledge 'reckless', says WA govt
The WA opposition leader's promise to build a natural gas pipeline in the state's south if the Liberal Party wins the September 6 state election is "reckless" and flawed", the government says.
Opposition Leader Colin Barnett promised to build a pipeline between Bunbury and Albany, under a public-private partnership, offering pipeline gas to homeowners inthe region who currently rely on bottled LPG for heating and cooking.
"The South West Pipeline will extend from Bunbury to Albany via Bridgetown and Manjimup at a cost of around $225 million with construction expected to begin in thefirst term of a Liberal government," Mr Barnett said in a statement.
Mr Barnett said the plan would also help cut greenhouse gases, directly and indirectly, by taking gas tankers off roads and cutting the use of other fossilfuels.
"This could allow renewable energy projects to be installed without the need for expensive transmission system upgrades to support additional capacity," Mr Barnettsaid.
"This would be particularly relevant for wind projects that have high prospects in the region." But WA Deputy Premier Eric Ripper accused the opposition leader of having a "reckless approach to taxpayers' money" with an "uncosted and undeliverableproposal".
Mr Ripper said Mr Barnett's proposal was "as flawed today as when he announced it in2000 and 2005".
"Why can't Mr Barnett say what the operating subsidy will cost? It is reckless and irresponsible to pursue this project without telling taxpayers what they will be upfor," he said.
"Mr Barnett has also failed to take into account the cost of acquiring easements forthe pipeline's construction.
"And he has failed to factor in the cost of expanding the existing Dampier-to-Bunbury gas pipeline, which is already at capacity." Mr Ripper said the pipeline had been ruled out after exhaustive research whichshowed that the customer base was still too small to make it feasible.
He said the project would create a massive financial burden on WA taxpayers.
"It shows Mr Barnett hasn't learned the lessons from his Kimberley canal pipedream.
"This is not an energy policy. It is another of Mr Barnett's vanity projects.
"This is the man who was so unconcerned about the state's energy security that he sold off the Dampier-to-Bunbury gas pipeline and AlintaGas." Mr Ripper said Labor had committed more than $4 billion over the next four years to electricity infrastructure, including a fully funded electricity transmission lineto Albany.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Carpenter today committed $36.5 million to build a netballtraining centre in Perth.
"Planning for the centre has been under way since 2005, when the Labor government endorsed the concept and committed $5 million to the project," Mr Carpenter said ina statement.
Opposition Leader Colin Barnett promised to build a pipeline between Bunbury and Albany, under a public-private partnership, offering pipeline gas to homeowners inthe region who currently rely on bottled LPG for heating and cooking.
"The South West Pipeline will extend from Bunbury to Albany via Bridgetown and Manjimup at a cost of around $225 million with construction expected to begin in thefirst term of a Liberal government," Mr Barnett said in a statement.
Mr Barnett said the plan would also help cut greenhouse gases, directly and indirectly, by taking gas tankers off roads and cutting the use of other fossilfuels.
"This could allow renewable energy projects to be installed without the need for expensive transmission system upgrades to support additional capacity," Mr Barnettsaid.
"This would be particularly relevant for wind projects that have high prospects in the region." But WA Deputy Premier Eric Ripper accused the opposition leader of having a "reckless approach to taxpayers' money" with an "uncosted and undeliverableproposal".
Mr Ripper said Mr Barnett's proposal was "as flawed today as when he announced it in2000 and 2005".
"Why can't Mr Barnett say what the operating subsidy will cost? It is reckless and irresponsible to pursue this project without telling taxpayers what they will be upfor," he said.
"Mr Barnett has also failed to take into account the cost of acquiring easements forthe pipeline's construction.
"And he has failed to factor in the cost of expanding the existing Dampier-to-Bunbury gas pipeline, which is already at capacity." Mr Ripper said the pipeline had been ruled out after exhaustive research whichshowed that the customer base was still too small to make it feasible.
He said the project would create a massive financial burden on WA taxpayers.
"It shows Mr Barnett hasn't learned the lessons from his Kimberley canal pipedream.
"This is not an energy policy. It is another of Mr Barnett's vanity projects.
"This is the man who was so unconcerned about the state's energy security that he sold off the Dampier-to-Bunbury gas pipeline and AlintaGas." Mr Ripper said Labor had committed more than $4 billion over the next four years to electricity infrastructure, including a fully funded electricity transmission lineto Albany.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Carpenter today committed $36.5 million to build a netballtraining centre in Perth.
"Planning for the centre has been under way since 2005, when the Labor government endorsed the concept and committed $5 million to the project," Mr Carpenter said ina statement.
