Opponents of the HumeLink overhead lines claim the technology is outdated and dangerous. Photo: Supplied.
The controversial $4.8 billion HumeLink transmission line project has been given final approval following a thumbs up from the Federal Government this week.
The renewable energy transmission lines will span 365 kilometres in southern NSW, connecting Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle and tapping into the beleaguered Snowy Hydro Scheme expansion.
The project is considered critical to the Federal Government’s renewable energy transition and work is expected to begin in early 2025, with completion in late 2027.
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said the project would provide an additional 2200 megawatts of on-demand energy into the grid and was a milestone on the road to making Australia a “renewable energy superpower”.
“The renewable energy transition is real, it’s happening right now. And it’s the only plan supported by experts and businesses to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power for homes,” she said, taking a swipe at the Coalition’s nuclear ambitions.
“I’ve approved almost 70 renewable energy projects – enough to power more than 7 million Australian homes. Peter Dutton’s risky nuclear scheme puts every single one of these projects and thousands of jobs at risk, including 1600 in this project.”
HumeLink has encountered stiff opposition from many affected communities, who are concerned about the plan to build 76-metre towers that they claim will impact farms and forests and pose an increased fire risk.
In November, The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) rejected calls for the project to be taken underground, concluding that it would be “significantly more expensive than what current regulatory frameworks allow for consumers to pay in transmission project costs”.
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr has been outspoken in his support for the alternative approach and said he was disappointed with this week’s decision.
“Five years after the Dunns Road bushfires, this is a real blow for this news to be announced now. But this is not over,” he said.
“A couple of weeks ago I was in Batlow and people are really worried about what the impact of this project will be on the community.
“We are talking about massive towers, tons and tons of concrete and huge trucks over a two-year construction period. There will be risks around biosecurity on farms. Farmers are going to be impacted. The community is going to be impacted. And we need to make sure that the council and the community have the capacity to monitor that.”
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr described the decision to keep HumeLink above ground as “very disappointing”. Photo: Chris Roe.
As part of the agreement with the NSW Government, Transgrid will be required to engage with landowners and will put up a $502.3 million security bond to make sure biodiversity offsets are implemented.
Transgrid Group CEO Brett Redman applauded the Commonwealth’s approval and said the project would deliver $1 billion in benefits to communities.
“Bringing this energy online will benefit millions of Australians on the eastern seaboard by providing consumers with access to cheaper renewable energy,” he said.
“HumeLink and VNI West are essential to the delivery of Australia’s energy transition, the Australian and NSW governments’ net zero targets and providing consumers with access to more affordable renewable energy.
“We will continue to prioritise local employment, training and skills development to provide lasting community benefits, including investing more than $11 million directly into the community to provide enduring social legacy outcomes.”
Dr McGirr said he would be paying close attention over the next two years to make sure they delivered.
“We’ve been promised community benefits, and we have heard hardly anything on that,” he said.
“Now’s the time the committee want to start hearing – OK, you’ve got the go-ahead. You’re going to put it overhead, not underground. What are going to be the benefits?”
Mr Redman acknowledged the importance of engaging with local communities in the planning and delivery of major projects but said it was a balancing act.
“Our aim has always been to balance community needs and benefits with the long-term interests of all energy consumers, which comes with decarbonisation and more affordable energy in the longer term,” he said.
“This includes the choice of the most beneficial route that appropriately balances cost to consumers, environmental impacts and amenity for local communities.”
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