Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority
SMHEA · Snowy Mountains Authority · Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority
July 1949 – 28 June 2002
Commonwealth statutory authority that designed and built the Snowy Mountains Scheme of dams, tunnels, aqueducts and power stations in southern New South Wales, and then operated it to generate electricity and divert water inland for irrigation.
How it came into existence
Constituted under the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Power Act 1949, which received assent on 7 July 1949; construction began at Adaminaby in October 1949. It was a new Commonwealth undertaking rather than a transfer from an existing department.
Legislation: Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Power Act 1949
Changes during its life
- 1958The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Agreements Act 1958 approved the 1957 agreement between the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victoria on the operation of the scheme and the sharing of its water and power.
- 24 June 1970The Authority's engineering investigation and design staff were constituted as the separate Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation.
- 1974Construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme was completed, leaving the Authority primarily as the scheme's operator.
- Engineering investigation, design and construction-management expertise
- Engineering consultancy services
How it ended
Corporatised on 28 June 2002 under the Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997 and matching New South Wales and Victorian legislation; the scheme and its business passed to Snowy Hydro Limited and the Authority was dissolved.
- Ownership and operation of the Snowy Mountains Scheme
- Electricity generation and water releases
Corporatised as a company owned by the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victoria.
Main functions
- Design and construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme
- Generation of hydro-electricity for New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT
- Diversion of Snowy River water to the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers
- Operation and maintenance of dams, tunnels and power stations
- Engineering investigation and design
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Finance and Administration.
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.