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Friday, 18 July, 2014 Page 9
Canberra review puts Geelong power source in doubt
$2b island wind farm on hold
By NOEL MURPHY
A $2 BILLION 200-turbine wind farm to power Geelong is on hold while Federal Government reviews its Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme. Hydro Tasmania said it would not invest in the giant King Island TasWind project, which would be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, while the RET was in limbo. “We continue to investigate the feasibility of wind farm projects in Tasmania, including the King Island project,” TasWind spokesperson Sam Meyer told the Independent. “However, until there’s certainty about the future of the RET we’re not in a position to make significant financial
RARE: An orange-bellied parrot. commitments. Work on the TasWind feasibility study continues.” The 600-megawatt wind farm would
use the winds of the Roaring Forties to provide electricity directly to the Geelong region via undersea cables. The project would provide enough power for up to 240,000 houses - more than three times the dwellings in Geelong and over five per cent of Australia’s existing RET. A Hydro Tasmania submission to the review said the “boom-bust” nature of RET policy had been destructive to the industry. The submission warned that international renewable energy companies and investors would probably react negatively to substantial RET changes and would be difficult to attract back to the sector. “The RET has driven the growth of the renewable energy industry within
Australia and has encouraged several major international energy companies to invest in the Australian energy market,” the submission stated. “Hydro Tasmania has direct experience of this, including through our current partnership with Shenhua Clean Energy. Without the RET, renewable energy skills, expertise and employment would be lost.” The project has sparked anxiety among conservationists over its potential impact on the orange-bellied parrot, which uses the island as a breeding ground. Earlier this year a No TasWind Farm Group argued the project would threaten the parrot. One of the rare birds was sighted near Anglesea in May after its release in Tas-
CAREERS AT THE CITY JOIN ONE OF GEELONG’S LARGEST EMPLOYERS We offer excellent employment conditions and opportunities to further your career. To view available positions, apply, obtain a position description or subscribe to our weekly job alerts visit our website www.geelongaustralia.com.au
BOOKED IN: Phillipa Challis with the new book carrying her suggestions for a healthy, happy life. 123740 Picture: Reg Ryan
Phillipa laughing with health book
PUBLIC MEETINGS NOTICE OF COUNCIL MEETING The next meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council will be held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre, City Hall, Little Malop Street entrance, Geelong on Tuesday 8 July 2014 commencing at 7.00pm. The meeting is open to the public.
By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN LAUGHTER is still the best medicine - and Geelong’s own laughing queen has forayed into print to spread the message. Geelong Laughter Club founder Phillipa Challis has contributed a chapter to a new book called Now We’re Talking: Health for Mature Women. The book, to be launched by Catriona Rowntree, promises to supply all that’s needed for a zestful life in an easy read. As well as laughter therapy, the book covers topics such as exercise, mind-set, Pilates, hypnotherapy, chiropractic, menopause, “thought field therapy” and genetic profiling. Other authors include Maggie Beer, Lisa Curry, Shelley Taylor-Smith and Diana Williams. The book launch coincides with the 12th birthday of the laughter club, still meeting weekly, rain hail or shine, at Eastern Beach. “Every Saturday you can find us between the wading pool and flagpole and no matter the weather we have never missed a session in that time,” Ms Challis said. “Thousands of people have participated in the half hour laughter session over the years since the club was started.” The book will be launched 6.30pm on 31 July at Waurn Ponds Library, with ticket proceeds going to Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Ms Challis said bookings to attend the launch were available at grlc.vic.gov.au/events or by phoning 5272 6010.
Shell sale cleared By NOEL MURPHY SHELL’S Corio refinery sale to Vitol is set to be finalised on 1 August. The sale, to the world’s largest independent oil trader, is part of a $2.6 billion deal announced in February when the Swiss-based company also snapped up Shell’s 870 Australian petrol stations. Vitol said it was finalising the sale after Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board approved the sale. The refinery will be re-branded Viva Energy. The 60-year-old refinery employs 450 staff and 150 contractors to refine 120,000 barrels a day for petrol, diesel, LPG, bitumen, jet fuel, solvent and Avgas. Vitol executives suggested in February that the refinery’s jobs were safe but also stressed that workers might have to be flexible and open to changes.
CENTRAL GEELONG TASK FORCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING The next meeting of the Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee will be held at City Hall, Gheringhap Street entrance, Geelong on Thursday 24 July 2014 commencing at 1.00pm. This meeting is open to the public.
mania late last year. Dubbed ‘Blue L Silver’, the threeyear-old captive-bred female’s arrival after a 580km journey up the west coast of Tasmania over King Island and across Bass Strait gave “fresh hope for the survival of the beleaguered species”, said Save the Orange-Bellied Parrot campaigner Debbie Lustig. Orange-bellied parrots number 70 in the wild, with another 330 in a captivebreeding program. The parrot became a political issue several times in the past when its presence conflicted with developments including a petrochemical complex proposed for Point Lillias and a $220 million wind farm at Bald Hills in Victoria south-east.
PUBLIC NOTICES EMPLOYER SKILL SHORTAGE SURVEY WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK Enterprise Geelong is undertaking its annual employer survey to better understand skill needs in the region. Information collected from the survey will be used in a range of ways including planning by regional educational and training providers, the development of strategic directions for industry, in workforce assistance initiatives and in skill sourcing and attraction strategies. We encourage employers across the region to participate by completing this five minute survey to inform this important work. Please complete the survey by 6 August 2014 online at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/council/yoursay/skillsurvey.aspx A report of the collated survey results will be available on Enterprise Geelong’s website www.enterprisegeelong.com.au from October 2014.
PUBLIC NOTICES
G R E AT E R G E E LO N G
OPEN SPACE STRATEGY SURVEY EXTENDED UNTIL 25 JULY Taking a fresh look at public open space, the Greater Geelong Open Space Strategy will establish the extent and quality of our public open space, identify future needs and set out actions to meet those needs. We’re keen to hear how, when and where you use public outdoor places. Whether it be walking the dog, children’s play, sport, meeting friends, having a picnic, getting fit or simply relaxing. The Open Space Strategy will provide a long term framework to guide the planning and management of high quality spaces that support healthy and active lifestyles. To express your interest in being actively involved in the project or simply to request being kept in the loop as the project progresses, please contact Fiona Finlayson on ffinlayson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
9.30am to 3.00pm Haines Reserve, Hamlyn Heights along the Ted Wilson Trail. Enter via carpark on Wilks Street. (MEL REF 441C7) All welcome. BBQ and hot drinks available As part of the Greenway Project, we are aiming to plant 2,000 trees on the day so come down and make your contribution to an iconic Geelong project. To register for the day visit treeday.planetark.org/site/10003872 For more information on the Greenway Project visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Online survey – Extended until 25 July www.geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE OPEN SPACE Use the hashtag #GGOSS and post a photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram of your favourite parks and outdoor public places.
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