Residents in the Burnie suburbs of Shorewell Park and Acton should not be concerned about increases in electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from Hydro Tasmania’s new 100kV power line, which is to be installed to bring power from the Studland Bay Wind Farm at Woolnorth.

Hydro Tasmania’s Project Development Manager, Gustavo Bodini, said the line is being erected on an existing easement which already has a 110kV power line running through it.

“The installation of the new power line is expected to emit very little additional electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions into the environment based on our design figures,” Mr Bodini said.

“Hydro Tasmania has worked within the guidelines of the National Health and Medical Research Council and the emissions from the new power line fall well below its recommendations. 

“We would be happy to provide this information to this group of concerned residents living nearby and invite them to contact us if they would like to discuss these concerns.”

The residents concerns arose from a research paper, which was published last week in the British Medical Journal.  The paper found a risk association between EMFs from power lines and childhood leukaemia, but not with other childhood cancers. 

However, the authors of the paper acknowledged that the result might be due to chance.

The electricity industry in Australia and around the world recognises community concern about EMFs and supports scientific research into EMFs and health effects.

All electrical equipment including electrical appliances and wiring at home, produces EMFs, not just power lines.  The amount emitted by the proposed line would equate to less than that from a domestic stove if readings are taken on the boundary of nearby properties.

Hydro Tasmania designs and operates its equipment in accordance with relevant health and safety guidelines.

The Environment Impact and Assessment Management Plan for the Smithton to Burnie transmission line is available for viewing at Burnie and Waratah-Wynyard Councils.