The assistance of Aboriginal cultural experts is sought to help assess and inform the plans for Australia’s largest transmission project EnergyConnect, a 900km interconnector from Robertstown, South Australia to Wagga Wagga in NSW.
EnergyConnect
Aboriginal culture knowledge holders needed for major transmission project EnergyConnect
21 August 2020
The project, subject to approval by the Australian Energy Regulator, will enable the sharing of energy between NSW, Victoria and South Australia, lower wholesale energy costs and support growth in renewable energy generation.
TransGrid will work with Aboriginal knowledge holders (preferably those who have undertaken cultural heritage assessments and/or site monitoring) to identify sites of significance, including places and artefacts, along a section of the project area between Wagga Wagga and Buronga in the state’s south west.
Registrations of interest are being accepted now by TransGrid’s consultant, Navin Officer Heritage Consultants, from those who hold cultural knowledge relevant to the area.
Executive Manager Major Projects Sean McGoldrick said consultation with registered Aboriginal knowledge holders will play an important role in the preparation of a Cultural Heritage Assessment to assist the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in assessing the development application for the project.
“We encourage Aboriginal knowledge holders to work with us to ensure we understand and are able to incorporate information about culturally significant sites and objects,” said Sean.
“The project footprint represents a vast area and we need the help of Aboriginal people to help us shape the right approach to consultation,” he said.
TransGrid is responsible for the NSW components of EnergyConnect, which will create 1500 jobs and generate an economic benefit to NSW of $4 billion.
Construction is expected to start late in 2021 and will include 700 kilometres of new transmission lines in NSW, a new substation west of Wagga Wagga, expansion and upgrade of the existing Wagga Wagga substation and the establishment and upgrade of access tracks and roads.
To register interest, use email or letter to write to:
Nicola Hayes
Navin Officer Heritage Consultants Kingston Warehouse
71 Leichhardt St, Kingston ACT 2604
Telephone: 02 6282 9415
Email: nhayes@nohc.com.au
Registrations must be received by close of business 28 August 2020. For more information about EnergyConnect go to: http://www.projectenergyconnect.com.au
Media enquiries:
Michelle Stone 0438 293917
michelle.stone@transgrid.com.au