Legislative Assembly Hansard 1965
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Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 24 AUGUST 1965 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Appropriation Bill No. 1 [24 AUGUST] Questions 61 QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT AsSISTANCE IN SOLUTION OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, BRISBANE AND TOWNS VILLE.-Mr. Coburn, for Mr. Aikens, pursu ant to notice, asked The Premier,- ( 1) Is the Government prepared to co-operate with and assist the Brisbane City Council in the solution of Brisbane's traffic problems, consequent on the release of the report by Wilbur Smith and Corn pany? (2) If so, will he inform the House, in as much detail as possible, as to the extent of such co-operation and assistance and the amount of money involved? (3) Is the Government prepared tu co-operate and assist the Townsville City Council in the solution of Townsville's traffic problems to a similar degree and, if not, why not? Answers:- ( I) "Yes." (2) "The cost of Stage I proposals have been estimated at £27 million of which the Government has conditionally offered to find £17 million free of cost to the City, whilst the Brisbane City Council will have to find some £10 million." ( 3) "At present a joint Main Roads Department- Townsville City Council Technical Planning Committee is carrying out a similar comprehensive Transportation Survey in Townsville. In this regard I might mention that the Government is contributing 80 per cent. of the costs thereof. I can assure the Honourable Member that, when the road needs of Townsville are known following the com pletion of this survey, any approach by the Townsville City Council on the question of financial assistance will receive sympa thetic consideration." ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN SOUTH-EASTERN QUEENSLAND.-Mr. Sherrington, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Industrial Development,- TUESDAY, 24 AUGUST, 1965 (1) What is the present peak loading of electricity in South-eastern Queensland? The House met at 11 a.m. (2) What is the maximum generating capacity, what power houses are involved and what is their individual capacity? ABSENCE OF MR. SPEAKER (3) What is the expected peak load for The Clerk informed the House that Mr. the winter months next year? Speaker had accepted an official invitation ( 4) What will be the peak generation to be present this day at the Ceremonial at this time and how will it be supplied? Opening of the Parliament of New South (5) Is he aware of the occurrence of Wales. blackouts in South-eastern Queensland The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES during recent winter months and is there (Mr. Hooper, Greenslopes) read prayers any assurance that this will be overcome? and took the chair as Acting Speaker. (6) Was there a recommendation by engineers of the State Electricity Commis sion for the purchase of a 10 megawatt APPROPRIATION BILL No. 1 gas turbine to temporarily supply the Assent reported by Mr. Acting Speaker. aluminium refinery at Gladstone? 62 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions (7) Was this recommendation cancelled indicate. However, an extraordinarily high and, if so, why? increase such as the 23 per cent. recorded in 1965 can be catered for only by increas (8) From what source is electricity for ing this spare plant margin .to an .e:ctent this refinery to be supplied? which would involve substantial additional capital cost and correspondingly higher Answers:- operating cost. Having r.egard. to the r~la tively small chance of Its bemg reqmre? ( I) "The estimated peak load on the and to its minor significance, the expendi South-Eastern Queensland electricity supply ture could not be justified." network reached 643,000 kilowatts on July 20 when conditions were exceptionally cold (6 and 7) "No recommendation was and wet. The anticipated demand for this made for the purchase of a gas turbine. winter was 575,000 to 580,000 kilowatts." Shortly after it was learnt that the ship carrying the second 30,000 kW set for the (2) "The normal maximum generating Callide Power Station ran aground near capacities of power stations connected to Aden, tenders were called by the State the network are as follows-Tennyson B Electricity Commission, by arrangement Power Station, 130,000 kilowatts; Tenny with the Capricornia Regional Electricity son A Power Station, 128,000 kilowatts; Board, for gas turbines to ascertain their Bulimba B Power Station, 192,000 kilo price and availability. This was done watts; Bulimba A Power Station, 95,000 because of the absence of information on kilowatts; New Farm Power Station, 67,000 the extent of the loss and on possible delays kilowatts; Abermain Package Plant, 10,000 involved if replacements were required and kilowatts; Tennyson Package Plant, 10,000 so that their purchase could be considered, kilowatts; Somerset Dam, 3,000 kilowatts. if practicable, to ensure supply to the The aggregate of the normal maximum alumina plant at Gladstone by the due date. generating capacities of these stations However, before a decision was made on amounts to 635,000 kilowatts. Very wet the tenders, information was received and coal resulted in a maximum capability of assurances obtained that the items lost at 630,000 kilowatts and minor shedding sea could be replaced to enable the second resulted for something less than 15 minutes. set to be commissioned in time to meet The peak loads mentioned included the load requirements. Consequently, it was not supply of 7,000 kilowatts to the Wide Bay necessary to proceed with the acceptance Burnett Regional Electricity Board to of a tender for gas turbines." supplement their own plant loading." (8) "The alumina plant at Gladstone (3) "The winter conditions of 1965 were will be supplied from the 132,000 volt exceptionally severe as indicated by the system of the Capricornia Regional Elec· peak loads recorded throughout Queensland tricity Board connected with the Board's as well as elsewhere in Australia. In Callide and Rockhampton power stations. South-Eastern Queensland an increase of Summarising the position may I say the peak demand of 23 per cent. was recorded Honourable Member can rest assured this compared with 1964 peak loads. This com Government will not fail to take adequate pares with a longer term growth rate of steps to ensure that the increasing demands 9 · 5 per cent. per annum and is clearly an for electricity in this State are met. The exceptional occurrence. An analysis of unqualified success of the Government's loads in 1965 has not been completed, but industrialisation policy has of necessity it is expected that peak load in 1966 under resulted in an increased demand for electric normal weather conditions will be 640,000 power. This, however, has been met by the kilowatts." positive action taken by the Government which has resulted in the installed generat· ( 4) "The construction programme for ing capacity of the State being increased Swanbank Power Station provides for from 483,000 kilowatts in 1956-1957 to commissioning of the first 60,000 kilowatt 950,000 kilowatts at the present time. The set (which has a capability of 66,000 kilo current programming of electricity produc watts) prior to the winter peak of 1966. tion provides for a total estimated installed When this set is in operation a total of capacity of 1,600,000 kilowatts by 1970." 701,000 kilowatts of normal plant capacity will be available to meet peak loads esti mated at 640,000 kilowatts. The Swanbank Plant programme is based on a further two UNDESIRABLE PRACTICES IN SALE OF machines (of similar capacity) being avail ELEcmrcAL GooDs.-Mr. Sherrington pur able before the Winter of 1967." suant to notice, asked The Minister for Justice,- (5) "As stated previously shedding on a comparatively limited scale did occur dur (1) Is he aware of the ever-increasing ing the July peak period but some black volume of false and misleading advertising outs also occurred due to overloaded relating to the sale of electrical goods? feeders in the distribution networks and not to shortage of generating capacity. It is the (2) Are any steps being taken by his practice of electric authorities to maintain Department to investigate (a) the huge a margin of spare plant capacity which is discounts being offered in connection with available to meet most eventualities includ the purchase of refrigerators, washing ing higher peak loads than the forecasts machines, &c., and (b) the gift of a suite Questions [24 AUGUST) Questions 63 of bedroom furniture or similar articles ROYALTIES ON OIL, BAUXITE, COAL, AND to the purchasers of certain type MINERALs.-Mr. Lloyd, pursuant to notice, refrigerators? asked The Minister for Mines,- (3) What steps does he intend to take ( 1) What were the amounts received to curb the trade practices of these by way of royalty for the year ended "Refrigerator Racketeers"? June 30, 196S, from (a) Moonie oil pro duction, (b) bauxite export from Weipa, Answer:- (c) coal exports from Moura, (d) Mt. (! to 3) "These questions relate to Isa Mines, and (e) Mt. Morgan Mines? matters coming under the administration of (2) What were the production figures my colleague the Honourable the Minister for Labour and Industry. I suggest that upon which the royalties were based of the Honourable Member redirect the (a) Moonie oil in barrels, (b) Weipa question to him." bauxite, and (c) Moura coal? (3) What was the formula used to assess the royalty payable on Moonie oil, TOURIST BUREAU PUBLICATIONS ON showing the expense deductions on the TOOWOOMBA DISTRICT.-Mr. Duggan pur price per barrel received by the company suant to notice, asked the Minister for at the borehead? Labour and Industry,- ( 1) Is he aware that a Queensland Answers:- Government Tourist Bureau publication (1) "(a) £1S8,S83 ls. 7d. (based on handed to passengers on the Canberra 1964-196S production).