Transmission Network Development

TransGrid is responsible for developing the transmission network throughout New South Wales to ensure a reliable, secure and safe supply of electricity to customers.

One of the objectives outlined in our Environment Policy is to protect the environment in the design, siting, construction, maintenance and operation of transmission lines.

Under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EPA ACT) TransGrid is approved to construct, operate and maintain transmission lines along an alignment located within a preferred corridor which has been assessed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

TransGrid's Environment and Community objectives are addressed in all three stages of transmission network development:

Corridor Selection
EIS
Construction

The Corridor Selection and the EIS stages encourage community and interested parties to become involved in the process.

Corridor Selection

During the Corridor Selection phase, TransGrid notifies all parties, landholders or businesses located along the alternative corridors. Notification is by way of letter and advertisement in local and metropolitan newspaper, referring affected parties to Public Displays in their local area. Comments and submissions are encouraged to assist in the selection of a preferred route for the development.

Conduct of the EIS

Stage 1

Following the selection of a preferred route, an EIS is conducted, taking into account the impact if any, on the environment and the community along the preferred route. The EIS is also placed on public display at community locations, such as local councils and libraries in affected areas to allow easy access to the EIS by the community. As with the Corridor Selection stage, all Public Exhibitions and Displays of EISs are published in local newspapers and metropolitan newspapers, where appropriate. The displays are made for a period of not less than four weeks.

Stage 2 - Submissions to TransGrid

Interested parties are encouraged to lodge submissions with TransGrid by the published submission closing date, outlining their concerns or objections.

These submissions are then analysed by TransGrid, carefully considering each of the issued raised. Responses to issues raised are included in TransGrid's Representations Report to the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning.

Copies of all submissions received are forwarded to the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning who then prepare their own independent report, the Directors Report, which is also forwarded to the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning.

Stage 3 - Minister for Urban Affairs, Conditions of Approval

The Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning then determines what, if any, conditions of approval will be attached to the project.

TransGrid's Board determines whether to proceed with the project after consideration of all information relating to the project, including the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning's conditions of approval.

Construction

The final construction stage is then undertaken in accordance with the approved conditions of approval. Typically, a Construction Environmental Management Plan is prepared as the document that provides an auditable verification that all environmental and community obligations have been met.

Awards for Outstanding Environment and Community Management TransGrid is proud of its environmental and community consultation record. In fact, we have demonstrated world's best practice in addressing environment and community issues.

In 1998 TransGrid won the Engineering Excellence Award in the category of "Engineering in Regional Communities" for the Regentville 330kV substation in the Mulgoa Valley, Western Sydney. This category highlights the major contribution engineering makes to regional communities outside the main urban areas.

As testament to TransGrid's philosophy of community involvement, the Mulgoa Valley Landcare group were closely involved in the construction of Regentville Substation, resulting in a facility that could pass as a traditional rural home.

TransGrid also won the Maintenance Management?ategory at the 1997 Engineering Excellence Awards as recognition of our achievements in the field of transmission line asset management, putting TransGrid at the industry's cutting edge.

The following document provide a summary of the environmental assessment process for the proposed Coffs Harbour - Kempsey 132kV transmission line.

The conclusions made following the study are also summarised. Details of the assessment are contained within the Environmental Impact Statement which is publicly available.