Approval and Community Infrastructure Designation

Energex complies with the environmental assessment and community consultation guidelines governed by the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA). Before announcing a new project, we undertake a number of studies and consultation processes. These include:

  • Identify the need for the new project in order to maintain a reliable electricity supply to consumers (in accordance with the Electricity Act 1994 and National Electricity Code).
  • Identify and assesses all feasible options to produce an Area Selection Report (we refer to this as a Corridor Selection Report - CSR).
  • The CSR identifies a corridor with the lowest overall social, environmental and economic impact.
  • Consult with key government agencies, elected representatives and local councils on the corridor.
  • Consult with other stakeholders, such as directly affected landowners and other special interest groups to revise the preliminary corridor to minimise the overall impact of the proposal.
  • Once we have carried out the above identification, assessment and consultation process, we produce an Initial Assessment Report for the proposed corridor that is formally released to the public for consultation.

The Community Infrastructure Designation Process

The CID Process involves a number of steps to ensure key issues are addressed during project planning and involves producing reports and undertaking consultation with stakeholders and the wider community.

These steps are:

  • Preparation of an Initial Assessment Report (IAR) The IAR is a detailed study of the entire preliminary corridor alignment investigating environmental, social, economic and technical aspects of the project.
  • Initial consultation with stakeholders The IAR is released for consultation during which time we will accept appropriately made submissions commenting on the IAR.
  • Preparation of a Final IAR The IAR will be updated to account for issues raised in the first round of consultation - any changes made to the proposed corridor alignment will be outlined in this report.
  • Second consultation with stakeholders The Final IAR will be released for a second round of public consultation; we will accept appropriately made submissions commenting on the Final IAR.
  • Preparation of a Final Assessment Report (FAR) The Final Assessment Report - which forms the basis for our request for Community Infrastructure Designation - will include a copy of all submissions received. Respective responses to the second round of public consultation will be submitted for consideration under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.
  • Final Assessment Report (FAR) submitted We will submit the FAR for consideration under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

Ministerial Designation

When satisfied with our proposal, the Minister will designate the corridor for the project and approve it for construction.