Worst case Hydro Tasmania scenario: constraints on Basslink import; mean water storage could drop as low as seven per cent in May 2009

Lake Gordon was the key hydro storage for Tasmania, said Transend its 2008 Annual Planning Report Transend -in its role as Tasmania state electricity planner - said it did not have time to carry out full scenario studies identified in the 2007 Reliability Review Report, required by the Regulator in April 2008. However one worst case it had modelled, was its Scenario 5 - if drought extended and there were limits to Basslink imports, water levels could fall to seven per cent in May 2009. It had modelled assumptions on gas price, thermal bids, hydro reservoir water values. Carbon costs were not modelled.

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New Queensland Waratah coal port plan in Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: plans handymax, panamax, capesize and chinamax vessels

A super port development was planned for a protected environment area intended to have no development. The plan to dig and deliver - to start - 50 million tonnes a year of export coal, was in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and contained Ramsar wetlands.

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Local resistance strong to super-port in Ramsar wetlands and Queensland Heritage area: big electricity, water, land, sea impacts

Public meetings were held this week in Byfield, Queensland, a small town close to the planned Waratah three coal-mines port. The port plan was to drain wetlands, and dredge the ocean.

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