BUILDING overhead powerlines to power the Wonthaggi desalinisation plant simply cannot be justified, says EDWARD O'DONOHUE

Roughly 18 months after it announced its plan to build a desalination plant on the pristine Bass Coast, the Victorian Government is expected to announce shortly how it proposes to power the plant.

At 90 megawatts, or the equivalent of more than 10 Chadstone Shopping centres (in Melbourne), the plant will be one of the largest users of power in Victoria.

Despite all the Government's talk of sustainability, the most likely power source is connection via overhead power lines to the brown coal grid.

If it proceeds, this would involve building two terminal stations and about 60km of 220 kV overhead transmission lines from Tynong in West Gippsland to Woolamai, near the plant site.

Unfortunately, the potential ramifications of the power line-grid connection option go well beyond the energy use and environmental impact.

The proposed route will cut through dairy, beef and vegetable growing areas.

It includes some of the most fertile, productive and high-rainfall farm land in Victoria, land with the added advantage of proximity to Melbourne.

The proposed power-line route study area was chosen with no regard for title boundaries, irrigation systems or other farm infrastructure.

If it proceeds it will have a major impact on land value, visual amenity and farm output.

Accelerated population growth, together with drought-induced lower farm production north of the Divide, means the Government should be preserving, rather than destroying, what is some of the state's best farm land.

After years of inaction, the Government has developed a water plan in haste and without proper consideration of all the issues.

If the power line-grid connection option does proceed, the impact on energy use and agricultural output will be significant.

Edward O'Donohue is Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Resources and a Member for Eastern Victoria Region.