North West Transmission Developments

TasNetworks recently held a series of landholder drop-in sessions for the proposed North West Transmission Developments project, with fifty landholders taking the opportunity to attend. They were welcomed by a range of TasNetworks subject matter experts, including engineers and land agents, who were on hand to listen, support and address questions and concerns. TasNetworks was also joined by representatives from Rural Alive and Well and TasFarmers. Feedback from these sessions will contribute to our overall understanding of landholder concerns, highlighting the topics that continue to be important to landholders and what they want to know more about.

Specific feedback was also sought from landholders regarding TasNetworks’ proposed options for a Strategic Benefit Payment. The Strategic Benefit Payment is intended to recognise the ongoing impact to landholders who host new major infrastructure needed to support the delivery of a modern electricity grid for Tasmania. The Strategic Benefit Payment is separate and in addition to compensation payable to landholders under the Land Acquisition Act (1993).

Visit NWTD Landholder webpage

The Bracknell community recently came together for a day of fun with family and friends at the Rural Alive and Well (RAW) Easter Egg Hunt. The NWTD project partnered with RAW for this wonderful inaugural event aimed at promoting social connection and building resilient communities. There were smiles all-round as eggs were collected, with some kids using their TasNetworks toy helmet as a makeshift basket. The kids also loved trying out the renewable electricity bike activity, pedalling as fast as they could to illuminate a map of Tasmania’s transmission network. Thanks to RAW for putting on an eggcellent event!

The 21st World Wind Energy Conference was held in Hobart in November.

As our CEO Seán Mc Goldrick shared TasNetworks’ energy insights and vision for a bright and sustainable future to delegates, he noted how fitting the ‘Symphony of the Renewables’ theme was given the exciting renewable energy potential in Tasmania.

Chris Warr, Leader Major Projects Engagement, shared his knowledge on harnessing the power of youth – a presentation on how to co-design community benefit sharing with young people. You can learn more here: https://www.tasnetworks.com.au/nwtd-cbsp

Our chair Roger Gill, who is also past President of the International Hydropower Association, shared his insights on the important role that hydropower can play in reaching global net zero target.

Engaging presentations were intertwined with conversations from experts from all around the world – and our people will learn and benefit from their knowledge.

TasNetworks proudly supported this event as a gold sponsor, reaffirming our commitment to a sustainable energy future for all Tasmanians.

It has been 6 months since the Energy Charter launched its Better Practice Social Licence Guideline and TasNetworks, along with other Guideline collaborators, recently undertook an accountability check-in. While there is more work to be done, it was great to see that since the launch of the guideline there has been significant progress in identifying and progressing opportunities to improve outcomes for agricultural landholders.

At the 12 month mark, an independent accountability review will be led by Karin Stark, Director Farm Renewables Consulting (funded via Energy Consumers Australia) and Joy Thomas, Independent Chair, Ag + Energy Social Licence Roundtable / Co-convener Ag Energy Taskforce.

For further information and to view the Guideline – visit: https://www.theenergycharter.com.au/better-practice-social-licence-guideline/

TasNetworks achieved a Highly Commended award at the recent IAP2 Australasia’s Core Value Awards held in Brisbane. These awards recognise excellence in public participation and community engagement.

The award highlighted the development of a youth-centred, co-designed community benefits sharing program. At the core of its success are 15 highly passionate and talented 18 to 25 years old North West Tasmanians who came together across a number of months to collaborate and design the program. Their commitment led to an outcome that best represents the interests of the community of North West Tasmania and will deliver a lasting positive legacy for the region.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in this process, especially the youth panel members, community stakeholders and our engagement partner, RPS. We will continue to engage as we develop the key governance and administration arrangements. The program is scheduled to commence during the construction phase of the NWTD project.

For further information about the Community Benefits Sharing Program, please visit www.tasnetworks.com.au/nwtd-cbsp

Following the recent announcement by the Australian Government that Marinus Link will, in the first instance, proceed with one cable, TasNetworks has reviewed the scope of its 240km North West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project.

The project timing and staging has been revised to ensure the efficient and cost-effective delivery of the transmission network required for the first Marinus Link cable, while maintaining flexibility to deliver the network needed for a second Marinus Link cable.

TasNetworks CEO Seán Mc Goldrick said the recent decision provided certainty and confidence for the business as it progresses the NWTD.

“With this surety, both Marinus Link and the NWTD can proceed to a Final Investment Decision with the knowledge that Tasmanians will only pay their fair share for this nationally significant energy infrastructure,” he said.

“The project has been revised to deliver the NWTD across two stages, focusing on the delivery of Stage 1 until a final decision is taken on the second Marinus Link cable. This approach will see approximately 60 per cent of the proposed NWTD built in the first stage.”

The NWTD include new and upgraded overhead transmission lines that will link Cressy, Burnie, Sheffield, Staverton, Hampshire, and East Cam. The developments will increase the capacity and reliability of Tasmania’s electricity network and support Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.

Stage 1 will see construction commencing in 2025 on Palmerston-Sheffield-Heybridge and Stowport to Burnie to align with the first Marinus Link cable. Stage 2 will deliver the balance of the NWTD scope, which includes the section between Staverton to Burnie via Hampshire Hills, to align with the second Marinus Link cable.

Mr Mc Goldrick said TasNetworks is working closely with landholders and key stakeholders where there are any impacts as a result of the staged delivery approach.

“We are committed to working with landholders and the community to ensure they are well informed about the project as it progresses and the best possible outcomes are achieved for all.”

We are excited to share that TasNetworks has been named as a finalist in the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasia Core Values Awards 2023. IAP2's Core Values Awards recognise projects and organisations that are at the forefront of public participation and community and stakeholder engagement.

TasNetworks’ award submission centres around efforts by the North West Transmission Developments team over the past two years in recruiting, establishing and facilitating a NW region Youth Panel to develop a collaborative, co-designed and youth-centred approach to community benefits sharing.

More information about the Youth Panel process, recommendations and framework can be found at: https://www.tasnetworks.com.au/nwtd-cbsp

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the fellow finalists who share our passion for community engagement and participation. The winners will be unveiled at the IAP2 Annual Conference in Brisbane, scheduled for late October. Best of luck to all the finalists!

TasNetworks has requested the Minister for Planning to proceed with the registering of a notified corridor for the proposed North West Transmission Developments (NWTD).

As part of the comprehensive approvals process, the NWTD are being assessed under the Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999 (MIDAA). Part of this assessment process requires the registering of what is called a ‘notified corridor’.

A ‘notified corridor’ is the linear corridor of land required to support delivery of major infrastructure at some time in the future.

The MIDAA process requires that a notified corridor must be in place before TasNetworks can submit a Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement. These are the key documents used to independently assess the NWTD project and make a decision about whether the project should be approved.

The notified corridor is made by the Minister for Planning at TasNetworks’ request. The main purpose of doing this is to facilitate submission of the application for assessment and to ensure any future developments do not prevent the project from going ahead while it progresses through the approvals phase which can take many months.

A Q&A brochure is available with further information relating to the notified corridor process.

The next community drop in session will be held at Heybridge as follows:

Wednesday, 26th July 2023, 4pm – 7pm
Cuprona Bulldogs Clubhouse, River Road, Heybridge

There will be subject matter experts on hand from both the NWTD and Marinus Link to answer any questions or concerns.

Aren't able to make it along? You can ask questions anytime by emailing us at nwtd@tasnetworks.com.au

Like any major infrastructure project, the North West Transmission Developments has the potential to impact on communities during construction and operation. Developing a community benefits sharing program is part of TasNetworks’ commitment to ensuring an ongoing and sustainable positive legacy for communities in North West Tasmania.

During 2022, TasNetworks undertook a co-design process with the local community and stakeholders to develop, refine and finalise a proposed community benefits sharing program for the NWTD. This included engagement to collect feedback on program eligibility, funding, governance, and administration.

Following the close of the co-design process, the proposed benefits program framework and governance arrangements were endorsed by the TasNetworks Board in March 2023.

View the community benefits sharing framework, now available on the TasNetworks website