From: Gillian Lord To: Climate Change, Public Mailbox (DPaC) Subject: Submission for Draft ActionPlan Date: Friday, 26 February 2016 3:32:13 PM

Draft Action Plan Embracing the Climate Challenge Submission by Bruce Lord

26 February 2016 Tasmanian Energy Strategy

The action plan for maximising our energy advantage seeks to pursue the potential for 10% additional hydro generation output from our existing hydro asset base (Ref. page 19 of Action Plan). Some important aspects of this plan are outlined here.

Increase in Catchment Inflow into Existing Hydro Power Stations

Herewith is noted some additional catchment inflows that should be examined in more detail by Hydro .

1. John Butters , (a) There is potential for diversion of Newall Creek flows into the surge tank above the power station. (b) A review of the proposal for a channel alongside the road from John Butters Power Station to Crotty to divert additional water into from the vicinity of the crest of the road.

2. Tribute Power Station Any increase in catchment yield to this power station will also increase flows through Mackintosh, Bastyan and Reece Power Stations. The catchment to Tribute Power Station is a complex of small and canals that provide water into Lake Plimsoll, the forebay to Tribute Power Station. The following potential for increasing this inflow still exists. (a) Small catchment diversions into Lake Newton some of which have already been completed. Additional inflow into Lake Newton by pumping from adjacent catchments is a further possibility. (b) Diversion of catchments at Moxon Saddle into and Lake Henty which in turn flows into Henty Canal. The Moxon Saddle diversion could require a canal and flume of about 7 kms length.

3. Tungatinah Power Development Bronte Canal, Central Highlands A review of the flow conditions in Bronte Canal downstream to Bradys Lake could indicate the potential for a very small hydro development in this aqueduct.

4. Poatina Power Development Palmers Rivulet Canal forming part of the tailrace of this station has 16 drop structures along its length with each drop lowering water levels by about 2 metres. There is potential for mini hydro developments at these structures. 5. Trevallyn Power Development Lake Trevallyn, the forebay to this power station, offers little potential to retain flood flows from the to generate power at Trevallyn because these flows pass over Trevallyn Dam spillway. Other potential flood flow retention storages should therefore be investigated.

Storage embankment sites on the South Esk River and Break O’Day River should be investigated for the possible retention of flood flows leaving the high precipitation catchments in the St Marys – Fingal area. An alternative development of a small hydro station is possible if the water in flood retention basins were to be developed by diverting this water to the nearby East Coast shoreline.

Studies already undertaken by Hydro Electric Commission

In the past 30 years studies of potential small catchment diversions have been made by staff of the Civil Engineering Branch of the HEC, many of whom have now retired. A review of the reports on their work should be undertaken by to see if some of these proposals are now worth proceeding with.