Hydro Tasmania has announced it is purchasing the historic Tarraleah Village for $11.2 million to support the Battery of the Nation workforce and the planned $700 million redevelopment of the Tarraleah power scheme.
The purchase for the 97ha site is currently in the settlement period.
Tasmania Minister for State Development, Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said Tarraleah Village was built nearly a century ago to support Hydro Tasmania employees working on the iconic Tarraleah hydropower scheme, and will once again “be a bustling workers’ village”.
“The purchase of Tarraleah Village in preparation for the redevelopment of the Tarraleah hydropower scheme is another positive step towards making Tasmania the renewables powerhouse of Australia through the Battery of the Nation hydropower upgrades and pumped hydro and the Marinus Link vision agreed to in a historic partnership with the Federal Government announced in October 2022,” Mr Barnett said.
”These benefits will be returned to all Tasmanians through dividends that help fund schools, hospitals, roads and other important services and infrastructure that we rely on.
“The Tarraleah hydropower scheme, in the Central Highlands, is an iconic part of Hydro’s 100-year history in Tasmania and is well positioned to play a significant role in this exciting future as the Australian energy market rapidly transforms.”
The planned $700 million redevelopment of the Tarraleah power scheme, will create up to 250 jobs at peak construction, is planned to increase the output from 110MW to 190MW from the same amount of water and is currently being assessed for commercial viability, with a final investment decision due in mid 2024.
This project is in addition to the current Tarraleah upgrade works underway at Lake King William, with investment of $65 million from the Federal Government and $58 million from the Tasmanian Government and Hydro Tasmania, which is supporting nearly 100 jobs in the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands through a range of roles within Hydro Tasmania and civil construction.
“The current Tarraleah power scheme is ageing and is in need of significant investment. The upgrade works currently underway will position the scheme well for the future and will support improved safety and reliability of the current scheme,” Mr Barnett said.
This work is also in addition to $300 million in upgrades to several West Coast power stations over the next five to seven years and an additional $100 million in annual upgrades and maintenance that Hydro Tasmania spends on its current infrastructure.
Hydro Tasmania has also stated that the Tarraleah Village would continue to offer accommodation facilities to the travelling public until its full capacity is needed for the construction workforce.
Feature image: The historic Tarraleah Village. Provided by Hydro Tasmania.
