TransGrid is encouraging members of the community to register their expressions of interest for the Stroud to Lansdowne Project Community Working Group.
TransGrid Spokesperson Ms Hannah Dunn said the capacity of TransGrid’s electricity network, between Stroud and Lansdowne, north of Taree, is expected to be exceeded by summer 2016.
“Peak summer demand is forecast to increase by up to 25 per cent in the next decade,” said Ms Dunn.
“TransGrid is keen to engage the community through working group discussions about the location of vital electricity network upgrades in the Mid North Coast in the future,” she said.
“While TransGrid’s electricity network has enough capacity to supply the needs of the Mid North Coast today, the region is expected to increase by more than 30,000 people in the next 10 years.”
“The role of the Community Working Group will be to discuss a series of corridor options for a vital new high voltage power line between the Stroud Road, near Stroud, and Lansdowne,” she said.
“While TransGrid remains the decision-making body, we are seeking community members to help identify key environmental, social and cultural considerations with each corridor option.”
TransGrid is seeking nominations from community members across the region to represent one of the following stakeholder groups:
- residents of the Great Lakes, Gloucester and Greater Taree Local Government Areas;
- business or commercial community representative within the Great Lakes, Gloucester
and Greater Taree Local Government Areas; and/or
- environmental organisations, community interest groups or Aboriginal groups.
“TransGrid’s Stroud to Lansdowne Project is an important investment to secure a reliable electricity supply for the region’s future and we encourage community members to get involved at this early stage of the Project,” said Ms Dunn.
All Community Working Group members will be selected independently by environmental consultants AECOM.
To be considered community members must complete a Nomination form and agree to the Terns of Charter which are available on TransGrid’s website: www.transgrid.com.au.
Nominations:
All forms should be submitted by 23 December 2011 to AECOM at:
Mail: AECOM Communication and Community Team
PO Box Q410
QVB PO
SYDNEY NSW 1230
Email: Lauren.Kinnealy@aecom.com
Fax: (02) 8934 0001
Find out more:
For further information, community members are encouraged to call our toll-free project hotline on 1800 222 537.