North West Transmission Developments

The Energy Charter has launched an ‘Understanding Australian Energy Transmission Projects’ Resource Hub, created in collaboration with community, agriculture and consumer groups across a series of co-design workshops: https://understanding-australian-transmission-projects.com/

As energy and transmission can be a complicated space, these resources have been created to help landholders and community members learn more about underground and overhead transmission projects and decision-making processes.

This initiative was supported by independent research from WSP and technical reviews by transmission collaborators, including TasNetworks.

Check out the NEW Resource Hub to discover fact sheets and resources on:

➡ Community engagement in decision-making
➡ Overhead and underground technologies explained
➡ Transmission and agriculture
➡ Transmission and bushfire
➡ Social and environmental considerations
➡ Respecting First Nations’ culture and heritage

Explore the Resource Hub: https://understanding-australian-transmission-projects.com/

The rural community of Mole Creek has welcomed summer with the long-awaited reopening of the Mole Creek Swimming Pool, following two years of closure.

Royal Life Saving Tasmania was successful in obtaining funding through TasNetworks’ Community Grants Program to provide vital training for 14 lifeguards who will volunteer their time at the pool this summer.

Due to a critical shortage of trained lifeguards, the pool was unable to operate, depriving this community of a valued recreational resource.

Karina Siggins, Manager of Royal Life Saving Tasmania, expressed her appreciation for the TasNetworks’ Community Grants Program, which has enabled the organisation to collaborate with TasNetworks and the Mole Creek Progress Association,

“This initiative will benefit not only local residents but also interstate and international visitors, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all pool users in the area,” Ms Siggins said.

Ranging in age from 16 to 66, the lifeguards were trained at the end of September and the Mole Creek Progress Association managed the cleaning, maintenance and refilling of the pool to ensure it could reopen in time for the school holidays.

Chris Warr, Leader Major Projects Engagement, said that by contributing to initiatives like the reopening of the Mole Creek Swimming Pool, TasNetworks’ Community Grants Program was making a real difference in communities across Tasmania,

“TasNetworks’ support means Mole Creek’s key recreational facility is accessible for everyone to enjoy. It will provide practical and long-lasting benefits, including for the local school children and trained lifeguards who have already gained new skills,” Mr Warr said.

“Through this assistance, we aim to help build resilience, encourage strong social connections and prioritise the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians.”

TasNetworks is committed to achieving a ‘Bronze’ Design and As Built Rating for the NWTD project under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s Rating Scheme.

The Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Scheme is Australia’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating economic, social and environmental performance of infrastructure across the planning, design, construction and operational phases of infrastructure assets.

The NWTD is one of the very first Tasmanian projects to register and pursue an IS Rating, presenting an opportunity for TasNetworks to lead the way in sustainability practices in Tasmania.

TasNetworks is striving to deliver environmentally sustainable outcomes for all phases of the project, whilst yielding additional environmental, social and economic benefits.

To find out more about the Infrastructure Sustainability Council rating scheme visit https://www.iscouncil.org/is-ratings/

A wonderful series of wellbeing events were hosted by Rural Alive and Well (RAW) in rural halls across North West Tasmania recently.

With a focus on the importance of community connections, locals were invited to attend events which included wreath making, line dancing and a paint and sip session. Participants honed their skills whilst having lots of fun and laughs along the way. Local small businesses were also supported as they provided food and services for the occasions.

Sallyann Harper, RAW Communications and Events Officer, said that the line dancing workshop attracted 50 attendees and lots of fun was had by all,

“RAW delivered a chat about the importance of community connections and having fun and thanked TasNetworks for funding these amazing self-care events. Lots of laughs were had throughout the evening.”

The last event of the series, ‘Hoedown at Hazelbrae’ is being held on Saturday, 7^th December 2024. It promises to be another entertaining afternoon!

NWTD is proud to partner with RAW in building connected and resilient communities by funding the delivery of these self-care events and activities.

RAW have recently released their Impact Report for 23-24. More than just a report – it offers an insight into the voices of the local community and displays the passion of the RAW team as they continue to support Tasmanian communities. The report can be viewed at: https://ruralaliveandwell.com.au/blog/fyimpact24

The City of Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of New South Wales is an important agricultural hub of Australia and was the perfect place to hold The Energy Charter’s 3rd National Landholder Engagement Training recently.

Three members of the North West Transmission Developments project team travelled to Wagga Wagga to meet with other Transmission Network Service Providers, akin to TasNetworks, for a jam-packed agenda both in a classroom style setting as well as site visits to farms in the region and an operational solar grid. Throughout the sessions attendees gained valuable insights from landholders, land agents and community engagement leaders as they discussed community concerns and improvements in the practice of communication and engagement.

Sonya Booth, NWTD Regional Engagement Coordinator, said “Having the chance to connect with other Land Agents from Victoria, NSW and Queensland was incredibly valuable, as was participating in learnings that promoted the importance of respectful engagement with communities and impacted landholders.

“It was also very moving to meet with a fifth-generation farmer on his land on which transmission lines are being built and to hear him reflect about his journey with the project, including about how positive outcomes had been reached through a collaborative approach about the positioning of towers.

“By working together, the landholder said the impacts on his land uses and on his neighbour’s visual amenity had been improved.

“Getting to the construction phase had been a long journey for this landholder and he was clear about the need for infrastructure proponents to prioritise working well with landholders and to be fair and transparent in all dealings” Sonya explained.

TasNetworks created and hosted the inaugural land agent training course just over a year ago and we remain committed to improving our engagement and communication practices. Our team returned feeling inspired to continue supporting NWTD landholders with new skills and knowledge as we work together towards achieving shared value outcomes for everyone.

The coastal waters of north west Tasmania have been made safer just in time for summer thanks to the purchase of new radios for the vessel of Marine Rescue Ulverstone.

Marine Rescue Ulverstone, a volunteer run organisation and significant resource for the community, has been successful in obtaining funding through TasNetworks’ Community Grants Program, to purchase and install a set of new VHF radios in their purpose-built rescue vessel.

Marine Rescue Ulverstone provide emergency response on the water including search and rescue, assistance to mariners in non-emergency situations, operational support to a range of community events, and education about boating safety.

The new radios will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the vessel’s communication with reliable, instant and effective communication pivotal in emergency responses. We were pleased to check out the newly installed radios onboard the vessel on display at the Wynyard Tulip Festival recently and to hear firsthand from Marine Rescue Ulverstone’s Commanding Officer Anthony as he explained how important and impactful the radios will be.

TasNetworks recognises the critical role that volunteer organisations like Marine Rescue Ulverstone offer to the community and our support aims to build local resilience and prioritise the health and wellbeing of coastal and rural Tasmanian communities.

TasNetworks has submitted the Contingent Project Application (CPA) to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to obtain the revenue allowances necessary to undertake early works associated with Stage 1 of the North West Transmission Developments (NWTD).

Undertaking early works activities provide confidence to customers that they will pay no more than the efficient cost of delivering Stage 1 of the NWTD.

TasNetworks has chosen to stage the cost recovery process by submitting multiple CPAs for the first stage of the NWTD. The first CPA (CPA 1) seeks to recover early works costs and the second CPA (CPA 2) will be for construction costs. CPAs are necessary for large investments that are made outside of TasNetworks’ standard business as usual expenditure.

The total capital expenditure associated with early works is $151.92M (net of Australian Government grant funding).

Although the CPA includes indicative revenue and price impacts, these do not reflect the benefits of the concessional financing that TasNetworks is pursuing with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. These benefits will be passed onto customers once TasNetworks has a concessional financing agreement in place.

The AER now has up to 100 business days to make their determination on the efficiency and prudency of our costs.

See TasNetworks’ CPA submission here.

Recently, members of our Planning and Environment and Engineering teams visited sites along the proposed route for stage 1 of the NWTD. The purpose of the site visits was to inspect areas with complex requirements, such as sites with registered artefacts/heritage listed structures, landslip prone areas, rail crossings, access tracks, and bridges (both under and over).

It was invaluable for the Planning and Environment team to be able to put the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA) into context, as they were able to see the sites firsthand, discuss complexities with our engineers and consider possible solutions.

The knowledge and understanding gained from the visits will feed into the final edits of the EIS/DA and support community consultation sessions, planned prior to submission.

The Burnie Works BIG Science Fair was held at the UTAS Cradle Coast Campus earlier this month. The Science Fair provides an opportunity for students in years 5 to 12 living in Northwest Tasmania to develop their understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) by undertaking a real-life project.

NWTD project engineers, Rob and Ronan, volunteered to be judges at this year’s BIG Science Fair. They said their favourite projects among those presented included testing which heights of store shelves sold more chocolates, sterilising E. coli colonies with electric currents, and predicting the landing sites of water eruptions on one of Saturn’s moons.

“For many students, this was their first ever opportunity to have a scientific discussion with a professional working in STEAM, and it felt very meaningful to provide this opportunity to them. Many of the students have plans to become scientists, electricians, engineers, and more,” Ronan said.

NWTD is pleased to support these young people as they embark on their STEAM journey. Our BIG congratulations goes to Cameron B, pictured receiving the NWTD sponsored ‘STEM Explorer of the Year’ award from Sonya Booth, NWTD Regional Engagement Coordinator at the prize giving ceremony.

Further information about the event can be found at BIG Science Fair - Burnie Works

4th & 5th October 2024, 9am - 5pm
Agriplex, 329 Ridgley Highway, Romaine

Come along to enjoy the atmosphere of the Burnie show with a wide variety of attractions, farm animals and exhibits to keep the entire family entertained for hours. Drop by the TasNetworks stall for a chat with our friendly NWTD team members while the kids have a go on our fun renewable bike STEAM activity. We hope to see you there!

Other upcoming engagement:
Tulip Festival, Wynyard, Sat 12 Oct

If you are not able to make it along, you can ask questions anytime by emailing us at nwtd@tasnetworks.com.au