DAINTREE POWER / Scheme Requires Major Clearing

Thanks Andre, I think the attached map may make things clearer to folks who don’t know the area. This whole project is a disaster – and yes, support for stand-alone (alia RAPS) systems would be vastly cheaper and 3x as efficient, and have almost no environmental impact… but never let reality displace dreams.

This is the factually incorrectest article I have ever seen in my life.
Cables will be put in place with directional boring which has zero impact on any vegetation on the surface, and the choice of illustration of an open cut mine is just as ridiculous.

Absolute nonsense. Hugh was at the meeting and knows that the lines will be directionally drilled and be well under the WHA. Fake news a la Trump.

It is frustrating reading these comments from people with zero experience or knowledge of underground MV or HV cabling or anything to do with the power infrastructure of this kind. Have any of these people seen what a horizontal directional drill rig does and seen a large scale cable winch in operation? I’d say not. Fools comment and form opinions on things they have no knowledge of. The educated ask questions of those with knowledge to form an opinion. These comments and articles that are being published are only helping in dismissing the credibility of those that are opposed to the proposal. I would suggest if those opposed want to gain credibility they start with FACT checking what they write or publish as this well known group of individuals have no credibility on the subject matter. Most people of sound mind have no issue with individuals or organisations of a different view. What most individuals and organisations with a moral compass do however is ensure the opinions and publications are somewhat factual and not deliberately misleading. This spreads further confusion and conflict within communities. Successful organisations and special interests groups that gain ground and credibility in achieving compromise do it with collaboration. All I see is a future with more pressure put on the Daintree region as this will end up a very public debate to broader Australia and put the Daintree on the map once again and be the must go place to see. This is what started the land subdivision and pressure on the Daintree to start with back in the 80’s. Create the same circus and it will happen again!!

I will go with Mark; the guy with experience with cabling, over Hugh, the guy with no knowledge of cabling and an axe to grind, thanks.

Oh dear – I’m sure that with modern directional drilling (as used in fracking) – you could probably bore a figure of eight channel under the Alexandra range – the technology is amazing. However, that is absolutely NOT the issue. The issue is the viability of the entire project. If you hadn’t noticed, the degree of cloudiness on the Daintree Coast has increased over the past years. The probability of a solar field being able to supply the power demands (without having to resort to fossil fuel backup) is reducing – I guess that most commenters so far still have issues with accepting the concept of anthropogenic warming. Whether we like it or not, the laws of physics prevail.

Once again Hugh, Richard spoke for some time at the meeting to this issue, and explained that he had 25 years of cloud cover data for the area, and that they had designed the system with that in mind. Not to mention that you and others have correctly advised that solar panels are WAY better than they were; anecdotally I have heard of small amounts of electricity being produced by modern panels under moonlight!
The real question is why you and others are desperately grasping at straws (not to mention building strawmen) to stop something that will reduce pollution of all types and is restricted by the town plan. Your real motives are becoming obvious, not just to me but the wider community.

Hugh, once again, I will go with the young up and comers, the ones who will deliver this new tech not only to us but to the world. Not with yours or my smokey generator, or with some cloud cuckoo scheme to subsidise raps (again) and kick the can down the road for our children. Lets solve the problem for everyone for once and for all, and especially for businesses in the forest who can’t run raps unless they clear.
Every premises should already have complaint wiring, and use an electrician for all work with 240V, as we do. Raps 240v kills you the same dead as grid 240v, or genny 240v. Anyone who wants valid insurance better have wiring to code.
Like phones, most will connect after a suitable period of whinging. In ten years we will all be at Cow Bay Hotel yelling if power is off more than an hour. Sound familiar?
Those who remain with gennies won’t get a subsidy, and nor should they, why give a subsidy when non polluting power is available at market rates?
The night/backup will be a combination of Hydrogen and battery. Once again, I will leave it to the experts to decide what is most efficient. With all due respect, you power system is hardly innovative or efficient, so why bag something much better?

Lawrence, to quote a colleague of mine – “if it’s big and new and shiny” you are for it. Quoting the Party Line. I know you have a degree in Commerce, but maybe not in basic science. Maybe I’ll leave it at that.
(For the un-initiated – Lawrence has the largest areas of cleared land in Cape Trib). It would be wonderful for a solar array – but no – Wilderness Lodge has managed to install a significant solar array – so why can’t you? Would be great for your environmental message.

As i have told you MANY times, I DON”T have a degree in commerce! Like all losers, you have turned your flawed message into a personal attack.
For the un-initiated, I DON’T own the largest area of cleared land in Cape Trib, something a title search would reveal, and Hugh you are treading on dangerous libellous ground with both the preceding comments.
The cleared land, owned by someone other than me, has been inspected by Volt Advisory. Some of it may end up with panels.
And as you well know I have tried on a number of occasions to commission a RAPS for the shop, cafe and associated houses, and it would cost nearly $400K, and nobody would loan the money. And you still have not explained how Heritage Lodge or Beach House uses Raps without clearing?
I will take big, new and shiny over old, inefficient, and polluting any day.

Hugh, unfortunately has no idea of how business or design and engineering companies work in the financial world. This project will qualify under the rules set out by the ATO as a R&D (research and development) project. That is a 38c in every dollar in non refundable tax offsets to the private companies that are involved. Add that to the massive federal rebates and grants that will be available under the proposed new and pre-existing legislation for renewables and this project will be well under 50% true cost of what media and know-all no nothing pessimistic locals are sprouting off about. This doesn’t even take into account the social and skills benefits to our region through employment and upskilling of members in our community to construct and maintain this infrastructure. Private enterprise doesn’t get involved in something that doesn’t add up financially. It’s only projects like Wangetti trail fully funded by government that end up as a negative return on investment. There will need to be significant private investment in the Daintree power project. How much private investment has been put into the $100m Wangetti trail…. $0. What will be the ongoing cost to the tax and rate payers for the maintenance of the Wangetti trail? Lots! What will be the cost to the tax and rate payers of maintaining the Daintree micro grid…. $0. If you are concerned about government spending Hugh then get on the attack of what is an issue in the region. I don’t believe you really care about government spending or it’s viability, so stop telling lies and explain your true reasons and beliefs behind the constant attack, on what is a great proposal for protecting our environment in the long term for future generations.

FACT check. Wilderness lodge what’s 7 rooms. It’s a boutique micro business. With minimal employees. So yes it is viable to operate that type of business on a RAPS system.