Mr. Garrett Blaney:

We are keen to try to get the least cost development. We do not want to put unnecessary restrictions on developers as that adds to cost. We are keen to keep the cost of development low.

Deputy Fleming mentioned that the majority of the load is on the east coast. We can only respond to the demand and we are there to facilitate the market and consumers. If there was an opportunity for government to stimulate development of demand on the west coast, that would be very helpful and would reduce the burden on the transmission system. That is more a policy matter but we are advising the Department on this area. We are concerned about reducing demand on the electricity system. We have been talking to IDA and others about trying to stimulate new loads into the system such as data centres and further economic activities that could help stem this downward trend in consumption, which is obviously is very concerning from a consumer point of view. These are policy matters. All we can is advise policy makers.