ESTIMATES COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS – 17 JUNE 2010
Mr VATSKALIS: This was part of the agreement for the expansion of McArthur River Mine. This audit
is undertaken every year to assess the effectiveness of their (inaudible). It is not only once and the
results are provided to the company and to us and (inaudible).
Mr WOOD: We can get a copy of those if we …?
Mr VATSKALIS: The money is paid by us and the company will refund the money.
Mr WOOD: The company called Ekistika Pty Ltd. I might ask you who they are but it says consultancy
service to run an expression of interest process, sounds like a complicated way of doing things, for a
new proponent for Lake Nash, Ti Tree and Kalkarindji solar installations was $33 000. Exactly what is
that? Are they doing the actual work or is it just that we are spending money just on the expression of
interest?
Mr VATSKALIS: I am going to take that on notice.
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Question on Notice No 7.24
Madam DEPUTY CHAIR: Sorry, member for Nelson, you will need to repeat that as a question on
notice.
Mr WOOD: My question is: could the minister explain what the process is in relation to Ekistika Pty
Ltd in relation to a consultancy service to run an expressions of interest process for a new proponent
for the Lake Nash, Ti Tree and Kalkarindji solar installations worth $36 364.
Madam DEPUTY CHAIR: Thank you, member for Nelson, that is question 7.24.
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Mr GALTON: I am going to have a go at answering the question. My belief would be an expert in
remote renewable power and energy systems, solar concentrators are not a specialty of our
organisation and, I suspect, it would have been a consultant that has some knowledge in that area
that sat back and assessed the expressions of interest that have come in from contractors that are
prepared to have a go of building that facility.
Mr WOOD: I am getting a little confused now because when you go out to a remote community, say
Yuendumu, for instance, they have a solar array and they have diesel. So, how do you fit into
something I would have presumed belongs to Power and Water.
Mr GALTON: Certainly they are power and water facilities that generate the power. I do not believe
power and water have the competency in solar power generation on top of the normal diesel
generation but the interface and working the connectivity between different systems is an area that
the power and water have to be interested in, in the interest of safety.
Mr WOOD: My concern here is that coactivity between the solar array and Power and Water’s
generators is where the major issue is in relation to how you can maximise the time a community is
using solar power and the requirements to use smaller generators. The reason I am saying that is
what I have been told is, in some communities you have three generators exactly the same size, the
solar panels are operating and are bringing electricity into the system, there is not much load on but,
because you have the generators all the same size, you cannot match the generator to the load. How
do you work with Power and Water to ensure we have the best environmental footprint in that
community where you are putting the solar panels? Who works to make these two sources of energy
match up the most efficiently?
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS – 17 JUNE 2010
Mr GALTON: The bottom line, member for Nelson, is the systems belong to Power and Water
Corporation - the existing diesel powered system - and it is a matter of using local expertise. We do
have some local businesses that are very component on ensuring that inverters are working through a
computer system engaging with a stand alone diesel-powered system do form an integral unit and do
not form the complexities we are after. It is a special body of science.
Mr WOOD: I suppose what I am worried about is, you set up diesel generators in some communities,
and we are setting up solar panels. Are the two systems now working to their most efficient ends,
especially in line with our reducing greenhouse gases and all that sort of thing. Because we have an
older system that was set up before solar panels and, to add solar panels, the systems had to
change. I am not sure.
Mr GALTON: I can assure you, we do not work independently, and the contractor comes along and
installs a solar system without cognisance of Power and Water assets - both are working together.
Mr WOOD: I will leave it for Power and Water on their end, anyway. We can question them tomorrow.
I am concerned about efficiencies.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Can we move on, please? Are we allowed to move on, please. Thank
you, member for Nelson, I appreciate that. One quick question, from this …
Madam DEPUTY CHAIR: This is a local member question …
Mr TOLLNER: No! No, I am a member of the committee, Madam Deputy Chair.
Madam DEPUTY CHAIR: You are, too, I beg your pardon, member for Fong Lim. It has been a long
week!
Mr TOLLNER: It has been a long week! Minister, very quickly, can you table or produce any
modelling that you have done in relation to the impact the resources super profits tax will have on the
mining industry in the Northern Territory?
Mr VATSKALIS: We do not have any modelling, for the simple reason that the Commonwealth
government is currently under negotiation with the mining industry as to what form the tax will take.
the only thing we know is it is going to be a profit-based tax, very similar to the profit-based royalty
system we have here in the Northern Territory. Currently, we have a negotiation with the mining
industry …
Mr TOLLNER: Minister, that is fine. You have no modelling.
Members interjecting
Madam DEPUTY CHAIR: Order! Member for Arafura.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: A point of order! Standing Order 51 …
Mr Tollner: We have time constraints here, you know that!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: The member for Fong Lim has asked a question; he should at least allow the
minister to finish answering the question …
Mr TOLLNER: He did answer; he said no, we have none!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I know he does not like the response …
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