Lake Margaret Feasibility Study Volume 1: Main Report
LAKE MARGARET FEASIBILITY STUDY VOLUME 1: MAIN REPORT Prepared by: HYDRO ELECTRIC CORPORATION ARBN 072 377 158 ABN 48 072 377 158 4 Elizabeth Street, Hobart Tasmania, Australia Lake Margaret Feasibility Study This page left intentionally blank Hydro Tasmania Page ii Lake Margaret Feasibility Study EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction and background The Lake Margaret Power Scheme, which began producing electricity in 1914, is one of the oldest hydropower schemes in Australia and is an area of outstanding heritage significance. It is an example of the pioneering period of hydro-electric development in Australia. Due principally to its private ownership and continuous operation for most of its life, the site has retained nearly all of its early infrastructure and equipment. The scheme consists of the following major assets: • Lake Margaret Dam (post tensioned concrete gravity dam). • King Billy pine woodstave pipeline, transporting water from the dam to the penstock. • Penstock. • Upper power station. • Lower power station, (decommissioned in 1994). • Lake Margaret Village, including seven cottages and a community hall. The site has been provisionally listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register (THR) and is currently being assessed for National Heritage Listing. The provisional listing on the THR holds the same legislative requirement as a full listing, which means any redevelopment would require approval from the Tasmanian Heritage Council. Hydro Tasmania took over ownership of the scheme in 1985 from the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company and, until its closure in June 2006, the scheme produced approximately 0.5% of Tasmania’s total electricity output. The aging power station was closed on 30 June 2006, primarily due to safety concerns regarding the woodstave hilltop pipeline, which had been assessed as being at end of life and at risk of failure.
[Show full text]