MAJOR PROJECTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The realisation that man needs to work with nature rather than against it indicates growing maturity and awareness in the community. However, in dealing with the environment we need moderation. We need to remind ourselves that "environmentalism" is neither a profession nor an exact science. Answers are rarely certainly right or certainly wrong. As with most natural problems the best answers are usually a reasonable compromise.

The Moomba-Sydney Natural Gas Pipeline Project was delayed 18 months. Two public Environmental Inquiries were held resulting from pressure from environmental groups.

Following political intervention the first Inquiry caused a reroute of the main trunk adding 90 km (56 mi.) to its length and seriously delaying its commencement so that inflationary effects, added to the cost of the longer route and its complete resurvey, caused additional cost to the project of over $100 million.

The second Inquiry required such change of the pipeline fundamentals, despite three years of comprehensive interdepartmental discussions held to ensure agreement, as to render the lateral under review economically unfeasible in its present form. Its cost would be something like six times its original estimate.

Similar inflationary effects and uncertainties afflicted the other lateral causing its deferment also. The final cost of completing the whole project initially estimated at $155 million would now be in excess of $320 million.

These deferments sprang principally from the economic consequences of environmental and/or industrial uncertainties. The communities which would otherwise have benefited by immediate service from relatively pollution-free energy are thus denied access to it. The impact of this deferment upon their own future environment was not called to account in the Inquiries.