TransGrid, the owner and operator of the New South Wales high voltage transmission system today announced the next stage in their project to build a 132kV power line between Manildra and Parkes, having identified the precise route the power line will take between the two regions.
The Manildra Parkes power line project is part of the state-owned corporation's $30 million investment into maintaining the reliability and security of electricity in the region.
"We have conducted a detailed assessment considering the recommendations we have received in the past few months from individual and group submissions, telephone conversations and one-one-one meetings with landholders," said Michael De Rome, Senior Project Manager at TransGrid.
"I believe the final route of the transmission lines achieves the best possible outcome, based on a balance of a range of competing requirements between the landowners, environmental and engineering factors", said Mr De Rome.
The announcement of the route comes after over five months of community consultation during the middle of the year and extensive reviews of social and environmental factors.
TransGrid will now continue to work on the line based on the newly defined route in order to establish the exact location of the power poles, site and access requirements.
"TransGrid will be continuing to hold discussions with property holders along the route while we establish the positions of the power poles along the line", said Mr De Rome.
"This consultation, along with the results of an environmental impact assessment due to be released to the public around April 2009 may warrant some modifications to the route we have defined", he said.
TransGrid will consider any proposed modifications to the final route of the power line based on the best possible compromise between all issues concerned.
Final approval of the power line's exact route and positioning of power poles is due to take place during mid-2009, before construction commences in late 2009.
Should any members of the public have any additional questions or queries regarding the project, TransGrid encourages them to call the toll free project number on 1800 851 299 and leave their details so a team member can call them back.
Media Contact: David Fayyad Corporate Relations Manager (02) 9284 3529