26 July 2008

HIA in Progress: Hume Power Station (Australian Capital Territory)

A health impact assessment is being carried out on a proposed power plant to be built near Hume in the Australian Capital Territory. The 28MW power plant will provide electricity for a major data centre hub being built by a consortium that includes ActewAGL, Technical Real Estate and CB Richard Ellis.

The proposal has been contentious, with substantial local opposition and has even led to a vote of no confidence in the ACT Chief Minister John Stanhope. Opponents are concerned about the proximity of the power station to residential areas in Macarthur and Tuggeranong, particularly in relation to potential impacts on air quality.

You can find out more about the HIA in the videos (inclduing videos of the consultation forum and technical workshop), media stories and links below.

Update 10 August 2008
ABC Online is reporting that the ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has disbanded the health impact assessment steering committee and that an environmental impact study that includes an investigation of health effects will be undertaken instead. Further reports and commentary on the decision here, here and here.

Update 17 November 2008
The environmental impact assessment on the data centre has now been released.

Videos

Canberrans for Powerstation Relocation Protest
25 June 2008


Power Station Health Impact Assessment Community Forum
16 July 2008


Power Station Health Impact Assessment Technical Workshop Part 1
22 July 2008


Power Station Health Impact Assessment Technical Workshop Part 2
22 July 2008


Media Stories
May 16 - Power station consultation flawed: Foskey (ABC Online)
May 25 - Details of power station unveiled (ABC Online)
June 17 - Health committee to examine impact of power station (ABC Online)
June 17 - Stanhope faces no confidence motion (ABC Online)
June 25 - Stanhope survives Tuggeranong station no confidence motion (ABC Online)
July 2 - 600 weigh into gas power plant argument (Cenberra Times)
July 3 - Power station health report due next month (ABC Online)
July 3 - Gas power station steering committee named (Canberra Times)
July 14 - Residents maintain power station opposition (ABC Online Video)
Jul 14 - Campaign against Tuggeranong power station stepped up (ABC Online)
July 17 - Regaining Trust (ACT Greens)
July 17 - Probe into power station health impacts (Canberra Times)
Jul 17 - ACT Govt 'committed' to public health on power station (ABC Online)
July 26 - Stanhope fends off no confidence motion (ABC Online Video)

Links
Preliminary Assessment
Canberrans for Power Station Relocation

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