Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 2 April 1941, page 4


CITY POWER STATION j

Taken Over by S.E.C. j

Arrangements have been completed for co-ordination of the Melbourne City Council's important power station at Spencer st. with the State Electricity Commission's productive system, of which it will now form an integral pnrt. The station has an effective capacity of 27,000 kilowatts.

Mr. Old, Minister in Charge of Elec-trical Undertakings, said yesterday the arrangement was highly desirable and satisfactory. The station would be operated under control of the commis-sion, but would remain in the ownership of the City Council.

It had been maintained in a high state of efficiency in the development of the City Council's supply, though operated in recent years solely as a peak load station.

"It will be appreciated," said Mr. Old. "that this represents a definite contribu-tion towards stability at a time when national issues demand conservation of all resources and full use of all generat-ing plant. It has the additional advan-tage that spare plant-so essential in these times-can, under the commission's control and direction, be much more effectively employed."

Mr. Old praised the council's action, which, he said, indicated its broad out-

look towards interests of the State as a

whole. He added that the arrangement was in conformity with the principles laid down by Parliament when it en-trusted tlio commission willi the co-ordination of all electrical undertakings in the State.

"This valuable contribution to the strengthening of the national cause has emphasis in the fact that the commis-sion will now exercise co-ordinating con-trol over tlie generation of 97 per cent, of electricity used in the factories, homes, farms, &c, throughout the State," Mr. Old ndded.