TransGrid has announced a preferred corridor for the proposed Stroud to Lansdowne Project on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
TransGrid had selected Corridor Option One on the basis of technical studies and feedback from community submissions, delivering on its public commitment to determine a preferred corridor by mid 2012.
Corridor Option One has been determined as the preferred corridor, on balance, it minimises impact on existing land use, ecology, landscape character, visual amenity, traffic and transport factors.
A transmission line located within Corridor Option One would utilise an existing transmission line corridor, affecting less landholdings and area than Corridor Option Two.
By collocating transmission line infrastructure, Corridor Option One would also require approximately 125 kilometres less access tracks than Corridor Option Two, significantly reducing the impact of a transmission line development.
The majority of Corridor Option One is located adjacent to the existing Stroud to Taree 132 kV transmission line until south of Bootawa, where it turns north to cross the Manning River east of Wingham, finishing south-east of Lansdowne.
TransGrid thanks the community for their submissions which informed the decision of the preferred corridor and identified a number of constraints within Corridor Option One. The submissions have also prompted TransGrid to reduce the width of the preferred corridor from two kilometres to 500 metres in some locations to avoid sensitive areas.
Several corridor refinements include:
- Shifting the corridor to the west of Stroud Road avoiding Stroud Road Public School;
- Expansion of the Mograni corridor deviation and further consideration will be given to collocating the line with existing infrastructure in this area;
- Removal of Burrell Creek corridor deviation to avoid the Hillview heritage property and Bo Bo Creek Cemetery; and
- Shifting the corridor east away from the Wingham High School Agricultural Farm to allow further refinements to avoid potential impacts on the school and visual amenity in the area.
TransGrid has written to all landowners within the corridor options to advise them of the selection of a preferred corridor. TransGrid will also contact all landowners whose properties are located within the preferred corridor.
TransGrid is working with Essential Energy to review of the Project’s timing and scope of works. This review is expected to be completed in September 2012.
Once this review is completed, the selection process for a transmission line easement route within the preferred corridor will commence. Once established, all directly affected property owners will be compensated under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
More information:
Community Liaison Officers are available to discuss the preferred corridor and future route selection process on TransGrid’s toll-free project hotline 1800 222 537, or via email stroud.lansdowne@transgrid.com.au
Community members may also wish to visit the Project website or local councils, where full copies of the OSR report will be made available: www.transgrid.com.au/stroud-lansdowne