In yet another stadium surprise, the Greens have uncovered a major new component of the Macquarie Point development – a thermal energy plant. With next to nothing about this plan in the public domain, Premier Rockliff has some questions to answer.
Years into the stadium debate, with a precinct plan developed, a lengthy planning process complete and a dodgy approval Order put through Parliament late last year, Tasmanians could be forgiven for thinking there’d be no more surprises.
Well, surprise, surprise! Through investigation prompted by documents obtained under RTI, the Greens have uncovered a major new component of the Macquarie Point development.
It turns out that waste and energy contractor Veolia have plans to build a thermal energy plant at Macquarie Point. It involves pumping 4,000 cubic metres – or 4 million litres – of seawater through the site every hour at peak times to help regulate temperatures in the precinct.
That’s a massive amount of water that will be pumped from the River Derwent through the site and back into the river. It’s astounding the Rockliff Government didn’t think to tell the public, or Parliament, about such a major part of the Macquarie Point project.
There are so many questions that need answering. Why haven’t Tasmanians been told about this major development? Why wasn’t Parliament? Where are the plans? Where will it be located on site? Is there a backup plan if it doesn’t go ahead? What will it cost? How is it being funded?
A tender was even awarded in January this year for an impact assessment of the seawater exchange aspect of the project, which is due to be completed in three days. Is the assessment being rushed?
Jeremy Rockliff is no stranger to keeping secrets or fudging the truth when it comes to the stadium, and this latest development shows he hasn’t changed his approach. Tasmanians deserve better. The Premier needs to be fully open with Tasmanians about all of the stadium plans, including this new thermal energy plant.
