North West Transmission Developments

As part of the environment, planning and heritage approvals process, TasNetworks is preparing to lodge a Permit Application with the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC), the responsible planning authority under the Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999 (MIDAA).

Community drop-in information sessions are being held in April to share key study findings and details about the planning and approvals process.

Community members are invited to attend the sessions listed below:

The Application is for the alignment between Palmerston and Burnie, Burnie and Hampshire Hills, and a line between Stowport and Heybridge to connect Marinus Link (refer to map below).

For further information, please visit the TasNetworks website.

Two projects in Burnie share a common vision – to create a better future for local young people and their families. We visited Parklands High School and Youth, Family and Community Connections recently to learn more about these projects and the people behind them.

Parklands High School community garden

Building works on a new community garden has commenced at Parklands High School. The school’s principal, Magella Dudley, and vice principal, Bianca Munday, explained the master plan for the garden. Drafted in consultation with students, the plans include a yarning circle, sensory paths, a bush tucker garden, raised garden beds, orchard and a pizza oven. Located on the boundary of the school grounds, the garden will be open to everyone, and hopes are that the garden will strengthen community ties with the school.

So far, a glass hothouse, paths and raised garden beds have been installed, with connection of water to the site up next before planting begins.

Magella and Bianca explained that students have been involved throughout the design phase of the project and their input will continue as it comes to life. A shipping container will be adorned by Tasmanian Aboriginal-inspired artwork by students who will further develop their practical skills by fitting out the container to store gardening equipment. Fresh produce grown from the garden will be used in cooking classes and available at the school’s pop-up pantry.

Underpinned by the school’s values of ‘connection, courage, growth, respect, and responsibility’, the garden will be more than soil and plants, but a shared meeting place that brings people together and spreads the spirit of giving throughout the wider community.

Progress of community garden at Parklands High School.

Youth, Family and Community Connections, ARVOs program

Offered once a week after school and during school holidays, Youth, Family and Community Connections (YFCC) runs the ARVOs program for young people aged 11 - 17.

A laneway in the heart of Burnie leads to the Junction Hub, a welcoming indoor space where young people are encouraged to drop in, stay a while, participate in an organised activity or just ‘chill’ and grab a snack.

The space is fitted with comfortable couches, musical instruments, kitchenette, as well as eight-ball, air hockey and table tennis tables. Jonathan Cowen, Education and Health Promotions Project Officer, runs a varied program of activities that changes weekly, and in the school holidays offers hobbies such as painting, skateboarding, bowling and surfing excursions.

YFCC Operations Manager Graham Marshall explained the program provides young people an opportunity to engage with their local services and have a place where they feel safe and supported.

The Junction opens their doors on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00pm – 4:45pm (Devonport) and Wednesday from 3:00pm – 4:45pm (Burnie). Further information about the program, as well as school holiday activities can be found at: www.facebook.com/youthfamilyandcommunityconnections/

Artwork on site featuring the school’s values of ‘connection, courage, growth, respect, and responsibility’.

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TasNetworks Community Grants Program

The North West Transmission Developments project provided funding to Parklands High School for the community garden and YFCC for the ARVO’s program for 12 months following applications via the TasNetworks Community Grants Program 2024.

The TasNetworks Community Grants program provides funding for community groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects in the community which seek to positively impact on our chosen focus areas. Through the TasNetworks Community Grants Program, we empower the community to tackle the challenges posed by:

• Rising cost-of-living pressures
• Enhancing community resilience

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for incorporated entities or charities registered with the ACNC who are operating within Tasmania and delivering activities that are aligned to the Program’s focus areas.

Applications for TasNetworks Community Grants Program for 2025 open soon. Sign up to keep updated about our Community Grants funding rounds: Community Grants Program - TasNetworks

The North West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project is proud to partner with Rural Alive and Well (RAW) to foster connected and resilient communities. In partnership with TasNetworks, RAW has been able to deliver a variety of self-care events and activities, bringing joy and support to many. Recently, RAW organised a lively hoedown at Hazelbrae, a creative macrame workshop at Lower Barrington, and an engaging sip and paint workshop at Cressy.

Sallyann Harper, RAW Communications and Events Officer, said that the events make a meaningful impact in the lives of community members in rural and remote regions, who are often at risk of isolation and disconnection.

“A heartfelt thank you to TasNetworks for your support in bringing these events to life. Your backing is deeply valued and empowers us to keep making a difference in the community.”

Rural Alive and Well (RAW) is a Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation, providing free counselling and support services to individuals and communities in rural and remote regions across the state. Visit www.rawtas.com.au for further information and to request support.

NWTD recently provided funding to Royal Life Saving Tasmania following its application via the TasNetworks Community Grants Program. The funding provided training for 14 lifeguards who will volunteer their time at the Mole Creek Swimming Pool.

Following a lot of hard work by community members to get the pool ready in time for summer, an event was held to officially reopen the pool in December. The day was captured in a video, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/g-U53CIdfaw

A shortage of trained lifeguards meant that the pool has not been able to open for the past two years, leaving the Mole Creek community without its much-loved asset that has served the Meander Valley for over 40 years.

The Mole Creek Pool is once again a cherished place for the local community to gather, exercise and have fun, as well as being a safe place for local school children to learn to swim.

TasNetworks is committed to supporting local community organisations that help Tasmanians located in the vicinity of the proposed North West Transmission Developments to build resilience, nurture social connection and prioritise health and wellbeing.

The North West Transmission Developments project is off to a flying start this year with the recent appointment of head contractor, GenusPlus Group Ltd (Genus).

We’re excited to welcome Genus on-board, with the two-part contract for Stage 1 of the NWTD project commencing with an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase.

During the ECI phase, Genus will be instrumental in advancing the engineering, design and surveying in preparation for construction, which is expected to begin in 2026, subject to conditions including a final investment decision, planning and environmental approvals, and the Australian Energy Regulator’s contingent project approval.

Stage 1 of NWTD includes upgrading 130km of transmission towers and lines between Palmerston (near Cressy) and Burnie.

This once in a generation project will increase the capacity of Tasmania’s electricity network and will generate significant benefits and opportunities for Tasmanians, local communities and businesses of North West Tasmania.

TasNetworks has worked hard to ensure that the contract will deliver the right balance of value for money for our customers while adhering to the highest safety and quality requirements.

Genus, which already has established operations in Bridgewater and Spreyton, is committed to employing Tasmanians and engaging the services of Tasmanian businesses throughout the delivery of the project.

Read the media release on the TasNetworks website

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.