Abermain to Lockrose Network Upgrade
ENERGEX is proposing to construct a duplicate 110kV powerline from Powerlink’s Abermain Bulk Supply Substation, Tivoli, to ENERGEX’s Lockrose Bulk Supply Substation, Lockrose.
The 34-kilometre powerline will increase capacity in the area and ensure residents and businesses throughout the western Ipswich/Esk area continue to receive a safe, reliable electricity supply.
Proposed route
While compiling the project's Corridor Selection Report, we became aware of Powerlink Queensland's plans to construct a 500kV transmission line on their existing easements between Springdale (near Gatton) and Blackwall (near Ipswich), by 2014.
Powerlink owns and operates Queensland’s high voltage transmission network and acquired these easements over 15 years ago for this purpose.
As our easements run alongside Powerlink's for approximately half the route between Abermain and Lockrose, we worked with Powerlink and specialist environmental experts, Parsons Brinckerhoff, to consider co-locating the two proposed powerlines on the Powerlink easement between Muirlea and Lockrose.
Following detailed analysis and extensive stakeholder consultation of two possible options, the planned powerline upgrade between Abermain and Lockrose will remain in the existing ENERGEX 110kV easement for the majority of its length.
As we will remain in our existing easement, landowners at Pine Mountain, and those between Prenzlau and Lockrose, who currently have a Powerlink Queensland easement on their property, but do not have an ENERGEX easement, will not be affected by the proposed ENERGEX 110kV network upgrade. These areas were referred to in previous ENERGEX newsletters as Areas 1 and 3.
The only exception will be at Mount Stradbroke, where our 110kV line will be relocated so that it runs adjacent to Powerlink's future 500kV transmission line for a distance of approximately four kilometres. This was previously referred to as Area 2.
Click route map below to view larger image.
The CID Process
As part of the Community Infrastructure Designation (CID) Process - the Queensland Government’s approval process adopted for the project under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 - ENERGEX will seek designation and project approval from the Minister for Energy and Water Utilities, for the duplicate powerline from Abermain to Lockrose.
About the EIS
Specialist environmental consultants, Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), have been engaged to investigate the project’s potential impacts on the environment and community, and prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Final EIS for the project.
An important element of the CID process is stakeholder consultation (steps 2 and 4), to ensure that nearby property owners, the community, and other interested stakeholders have the opportunity to comment on the project.
Community feedback and submissions made to the EIS and Final EIS will be included in the Final Assessment Report (FAR) that will be submitted to the Minister.
EIS conclusions
The EIS concluded that because the project is an upgrade of existing infrastructure and is largely proposed within an existing easement, there are minimal social, economic and environmental impacts.
The project will contribute to providing a continued safe and reliable electricity supply to households, businesses and workplaces within the local and wider South East Queensland area.
Project timeframe
The following table outlines activities and proposed timeframes for the project as the CID process progresses.
|
Activity |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Complete initial options analysis |
July 2009 |
|
Early consultation with landowners, community groups and representatives |
Ongoing from November 2009 |
|
Community Information Days |
November 2009 |
|
CID Process commences |
|
|
CID Step 1 |
August 2010 |
|
CID Step 2 |
26 July 2010–3 September 2010 |
|
CID Step 3 |
September 2010–January 2011 |
|
CID Step 4 |
February 2011 |
|
CID Step 5 |
February/March 2011 |
|
CID Step 6 |
June 2011 |
|
Ministerial designation |
October 2011 |
|
Scheduled start of project construction |
Early/mid 2012 |
|
Schedule completion of project construction - Abermain Substation to Wulkuraka Tee |
Early/mid 2013 |
|
Projected completion of project construction - Wulkuraka Tee to Lockrose Substation |
October 2014 |
* Timeframes subject to change.
Stakeholder consultation
We wrote to all landowners whose properties are traversed by the existing easement, inviting them to meet with us to discuss the project.
More than 80 per cent of all directly affected landowners gave feedback on the proposal, and 43 per cent took the opportunity to personally meet with the project team.
The project team also met with elected representatives and key government departments, and held four Community Information Days in Glamorgan Vale and Pine Mountain, which were attended by 63 community members.
We will continue to accept comments and questions from community members via our 1800 project hotline, email, comment forms, and letters.
Final EIS project newsletter
In April, a project newsletter was sent to all stakeholders listed on the project database, including directly affected landowners, to advise of the current project status and the release of the Final EIS on 20 April 2011.
It provided guidelines for stakeholders on how to make a submission to us about the project and the Final EIS.
Notice of intention to designate
Notices of Intention to Designate (NIDs) were sent to all landowners whose properties will be traversed by an existing or new easement as part of the project in early April 2011.
Public notices were placed in local papers advertising the complete list of properties impacted by the proposed project.
Community Partnerships Fund
The ENERGEX Community Partnerships Fund supports worthwhile community projects that provide benefits to the communities in which major ENERGEX infrastructure is proposed.
An information sheet and application form for the Abermain to Lockrose network upgrade community partnership fund provide detailed information about the program and how to apply.
We would like to thank the community for participating in this process and for taking the time to meet with or contact us.
Other projects in the area
Proposed 33kV powerline project - Abermain to Karrabin
In a separate project, we plan to construct a 33kV powerline from Abermain Substation to Karrabin Substation within two to three years, using part of the existing 110kV easement, to minimise impacts to the community.
Within the easement, the 33kV powerline will need to be strung on concrete poles placed in-step with the proposed 110 kV infrastructure.
To minimise the visual impact to surrounding areas and prevent powerlines clashing, timber poles will be used along the roadway to the Karrabin Substation.
In recognition of cumulative project impacts, we will consider feedback about the proposed Abermain to Karrabin 33kV powerline.
Contact us
Phone:
1800 095 223
Email:
The Abermain to Lockrose Project Team
Write to:
ENERGEX Abermain to Lockrose network upgrade
Reply Paid 1461
Brisbane QLD 4001
Follow us on twitter.com/energex.
For Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) National call 131450.
If you would like to receive project updates, register your name and address on our feedback form.
Publications
Community Partnerships Fund
- Community Partnerships Fund information sheet (PDF 837.4 kb)
- Community Partnerships Fund application form (PDF 1.2 mb)
Flyers
Newsletters
- Abermain to Lockrose final EIS project newsletter (PDF 1.4 mb)
- Abermain to Lockrose Autumn 2010 newsletter (PDF 810.5 kb)
- Abermain to Lockrose July 2010 newsletter (PDF 662.1 kb)
- Abermain to Lockrose Spring 2009 newsletter (PDF 977.0 kb)
- Abermain to Lockrose Spring 2009 insert (PDF 400.6 kb)
Public notices
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