20 February 2015

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam was joined with representatives from the State and Federal Governments and TasNetworks to announce the official completion of the power upgrade on Harcus River Road.

Council was the recipient of a $1.5 million grant from the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement funds for power infrastructure upgrades on the road in 2012.

“Since the announcement was made in 2012, Council has partnered with the Circular Head Progress Group, Paul Arnold Consulting and TasNetworks to see the completion of a 23 kilometre roll out of new power lines,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“This conversion will open opportunities for farms to be converted to dairy, which has an increasing demand for supply.”

Council has also developed preliminary design drawings to establish the estimated cost of works for future sealing and widening of the road, which will be subject to budget allocations and funding from other sources.

Circular Head Progress Group Chairman John McNab said the Progress Group was thrilled with the opportunity to work with Council to achieve a sustainable outcome in the interest of farming expansion for the area.

“The completion of this project and the on-flowing effects of agricultural growth that will occur as a result of having electricity delivered to approximately 25 land owners along the route is a very positive outcome,” Mr McNab said.

“The upgrade will now allow these property owners to move forward with conversion projects.”

Mayor Quilliam said the completion of the project, would also bolster confidence in the region's standing as a future leading dairy producer.

“With the conversion of farms to dairy or even from low to high density will hopefully see more jobs created in the Circular Head area,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“The benefits will stretch further than the 23 kilometres of infrastructure, with farmers now given the opportunity to increase productivity and expand their operations to meet increased demand.”

TasNetworks will operate and maintain the 22 kV distribution line adjacent to Harcus River Road, from Marrawah to the Woolnorth dairy operation gates.

The distribution line will be approximately 23 km long and involved the installation of approximately 230 poles.

Mayor Quilliam and Mr McNab thanked all parties involved in the upgrade.

“I would like to thank not only TasNetworks, the State and Federal Governments, the Circular Head Progress Group and Paul Arnold, but also the many residents along Harcus River Road for their patience and cooperation during the works,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“One of the main reasons we were able to complete this project to budget was thanks to the co-operation and goodwill of the landowners who allowed the power lines to cross through their properties, so we thank them for their cooperation,” Mr McNab said.