Following rigorous engineering, environmental and heritage surveys and studies and pending approvals, construction of the Tasmanian gas pipeline is expected to start in mid-2001.
The pipeline is part of a major proposal by Duke Energy International (DEI) to design, construct and operate an underground, natural gas pipeline system in Tasmania.
The $350 million project features 430km of onshore pipeline, a 305km pipeline across Bass Strait and conversion of the Bell Bay Power Station to a gas-fired facility.
DEI says that for many decades, Tasmania has benefited from hydro power as its major energy source.
However, as the largest supplier of energy to Tasmania, hydro energy has reached its maximum sustainable capacity
This means that many existing industries cannot grow and new businesses requiring significant quantities of energy are not attracted to Tasmania.
DEI says that bringing offshore natural gas to Tasmania will:
For the first time, gas reticulation companies will be able to supply some communities along the pipeline route with a safe and reliable alternative energy.
The pipeline's path
The pipeline starts at Longford in Victoria and enters Bass Strait near Seaspray. The pipeline will be laid on the seabed of Bass Strait, entering Tasmania in the Bell Bay region and laid underground in trenches up to two metres deep.
Near Bell Bay it will cross under the Tamar River, and continue to Rosevale, near Launceston. Here the pipeline splits into two: the northern pipeline extension to Port Latta on Tasmania's North-west coast, and the southern pipeline extension to Hobart.
Construction will take place simultaneously in Bass Strait and on land. In good weather conditions, construction on land will progress at about 3km to 5km a day.
DEI plans to complete construction and testing in early 2002 and gas will flow into Tasmania soon after.
Gas for homes and businesses will be handled by gas reticulation companies which will construct and manage smaller pipelines into towns and cities and retail natural gas to the public.
The pipeline route was selected over a period of more than a year. Selection of the route depended on engineering, environmental, cultural heritage, construction and landowner factors.
Extensive community consultation has started to ensure that communities near the route understand the process and how they can comment on it.
DEI will develop the pipeline route through several phases, and landowners and local communities will have the opportunity to comment on the corridor and route.
A 15km wide corridor has identified and the Tasmanian Government notified.
This corridor is narrowed down 1km, enabling surveys and environmental studies to take place. Landowners will be given at least four days' notice from DEI of its intention to conduct surveys in the area.
A 100 m corridor is then identified, inside of which a 30m wide area is used for digging and laying the pipeline. The Tasmanian Government will manage the acquisition process for the casements through the Valuer-Generals Department. Landowners will be compensated under the Land Acquisition Act.
Finally, when construction has ended and the land has been' rehabilitated, a smaller permanent casement will be monitored and maintained by DEI. Landowners will generally be able to continue using the land as before- The main restriction is that nothing can be built over the pipeline.
Environmental assessment
A partnership of Hydro Tasmania Consulting and PM has been appointed to undertake the Environmental Assessment Study a 12-month program to investigate fauna, flora, heritage and geographical conditions and to complete the documentation to ensure appropriate planning for construction.
The DEI Tasmania office now employs 13 people with another office planned for northern Tasmania to house the soon-to-start engineering and construction management teams.
In the short term, DEI expects that up to 900 people will be employed on construction of the Tasmanian project, both onshore and offshore. In the longer term, experience in other parts of Australia indicates that where gas enters a market for the first time, growth and jobs follow
Gas will be sourced from Esso Australia Resources- Pty Ltd and BHP Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd in Victoria, the only companies able to demonstrate adequate long-term reserves. They were also the only companies that could guarantee supply of gas for Tasmania to meet DEI's timetable.
The offshore pipes will be laid on the bed of Bass Strait by specialist lay barges which can tolerate Bass Strait conditions. A sub-sea survey of Bass Strait is underway.
Extensive community consultation has started, with briefings and community open days planned in more than 20 towns along the proposed pipeline corridor.
Consultation with parliamentarians, local councils and key industry groups began earlier this year. Full consultation with property owners, local communities and key stakeholders has begun. DEI will work closely with all groups to ensure selection of the test possible pipeline route within the identified corridor.
DEI believes this is one of the most complex projects undertaken in Tasmania in decades. Significant infrastructure and legislative considerations need to be addressed before the introduction of this new form of energy to the state, however DEI has the resources and experience to make this project a reality.
Projects of this nature generally take several years to develop because of their cornplexity. However, DEI has proven its capabilities in fast-tracking significant infrastructure developments demonstrated by the company's 795km Eastern Gas Pipeline between Melbourne and Sydney which began operation in August.
DEI has a long history of building pipelines around the world, but its Tasmanian project is considered especially important by the company because of its extremely positive impact on regional communities and the state's economy.
If you would like more information contact DEI's Community Affairs Department. Phone 03 62315225 Freecall: 1800 195 666 Fax 03 62315022 Community Affairs Officer Email: tmbotti(@duke-energy.com