A community group in Tasmania opposing the unwarranted destruction of the Loongana Valley by government and private companies.

Our community should not be asked to bear the burden of the proposed UPC-TasNetworks transmission line.
We support community, tourism, businesses and jobs that rely on the health of our iconic wilderness.

solvetasmania@gmail.com

Leven River at Taylors Flat (Ian Sale)

INAPPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE HURTS ALL TASMANIANS

TasNetworks/UPC Renewables (under the umbrella of the 'Marinus Project') are proposing an industrial scale transmission line through our North-West region, levelling everything in its path.  Over 90% of this power will be sold to the Mainland, and profits will go offshore.

THE HEALTH OF ICONIC WILDERNESS AREAS, BLACK BLUFF, LOONGANA RANGE, WINTERBROOK AND LEVEN CANYON, ARE AT RISK.  THIS PUTS COMMUNITIES, TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT AT RISK.

Loongana is a heavily forested and narrow valley between two ranges.  The proposed transmission line and easement will cut through the entire valley west to east.  It will become the dominant feature in the landscape and every resident will be directly impacted. 
Communities should be a key restraint for the route selection.

Wildlife corridors, threatened animals, biodiversity, critical ecosystems and tourism will be impacted.  
The Environment should be a key restraint for the route selection.

We question the economic modelling of Project Marinus, a project that favours offshore investors with few benefits to Tasmania.  90% of the power will go offshore, taking economic growth and long-term jobs with it. 
Tourism businesses sustained by wilderness and providing local jobs should be a key restraint for the route selection.

The Route through Loongana will dissect crucial wildlife corridors and fragment rainforest between three reserves, Leven Canyon, Winterbrook and Black Bluff.  Loongana is part of the Penguin to Cradle Trail, a continuous walk through alpine wilderness all the way to Cradle Mountain. The valley is home to many threatened and endangered species; wedge-tailed eagles, Tasmanian Devils, Spotted-tailed quolls, eastern quolls, grey goshawks, platypus, masked owls and giant fresh-water crayfish.

COMMUNITY

Loongana Valley, Tasmania.

This infrastructure brings unacceptable inter-generational social and economic costs and it presents an elevated fire risk in a time of climate change.

Projects that create known risks to the environment, local lives and properties is culpable negligence.  Yet that’s exactly what UPC-TasNetworks transmission line does…(more)

TOURISM

Winterbrook Falls cascades 200m down from Black Bluff into Rainforest

The Leven Canyon, Black Bluff and Winterbrook are stunning.  They would be the envy of any other region.

Project Marinus will create few long-term jobs. The cheapest way to support jobs and growth in tourism is by protecting, enhancing and promoting Tasmania’s clean, green wilderness... (more)

ENVIRONMENT

Tasmanian Masked Owl (Adam Hardy @raptorcarenw)

More weeds, feral animals, threatened species, erosion and herbicides polluting our region's water catchment.

Renewable energy projects that use the cheapest transmission route cause irreversible and permanent damage to the environment.  How can they be called green energy if .... (more)

SOLVE is a member of Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania a growing network of 70+ community groups from across Tasmania seeking the reform of Tasmania's planning system.