Brumby was swayed by

THE hard work of the Power Grid Option Group and the Cardinia Shire Council led to Premier John Brumby publicly stating the State Government’s preferred option is to use underground power for the desalination plant, Eastern Victoria MP Johan Scheffer says.
Mr Scheffer said people sometimes underestimated the willingness of the Government and the capacity of local MPs to work with community organisations and councils to examine alternative ways of delivering large-scale projects such as the desalination plant.
“The Premier’s announcement is an excellent example of what can happen when people starting out with different views listen to each other, focus on evidence and work in the public interest,” Mr Scheffer said.
“It has been a real privilege to work with Alan Fraser and Mick McGuire and the members of the Power Grid Option Group as well as with Cardinia mayor Bill Pearson and CEO Garry McQuillan.
“They have put in a phenomenal amount of work and the Government has listened very carefully to them, with a very positive result.”
Mr Scheffer said he was hopeful the desalination project would result in a positive outcome for residents and landowners in the Cardinia and Bass Coast shires and the rest of Victoria.
“Mr Brumby has clearly listened to the community and, while the Government’s support is very good news, I think everyone understands why the Premier’s announcement also sounds a note of caution.
“If in the end the underground option proves to be too costly or there is some major constraint on the project, the Government may have little choice but to go with the above ground option,” he said.