Landowner information for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

The Central-West Orana REZ Transmission Project aims to avoid and minimise impacts to biodiversity where possible and has been informed by detailed field investigations.

We refined the alignment of the transmission line following ongoing and comprehensive engagement with landholders, local community and other stakeholders. The alignment reduces impacts on sensitive land uses in the region. It also enables us to deliver greater capacity to meet future needs.

In particular, the eastern section of the previous study corridor was redesigned to avoid high-quality agricultural land on the Merriwa Cassilis plateau. The majority of the new corridor is now located on land owned by mining companies, alongside existing transmission lines, or wind and solar development areas.

We acquired land and easement rights to build the transmission project. In 97 per cent of cases, the properties were acquired through mutual agreement.

In addition to this, we have worked with affected landholders on a case-by-case basis to refine the alignment to minimise impacts to sensitive land and locate infrastructure away from dwellings wherever possible.

Landowner engagement during construction

Construction on the transmission project is now underway. We are working with the network operator, ACEREZ, to ensure landholders are informed throughout construction.

We've provided ACEREZ with documentation and history of each landholder relationship. This includes commitments made to landholders, landholder preferences and access information in the planning phase.

ACEREZ have dedicated property advisors for each impacted landholder.

Property advisors are in contact with each landholder about planned construction activities, land access arrangements and our commitment to ensure any potential impact on property, lifestyle, operations, biosecurity and livestock are kept to a minimum.

Property advisors will work with landowners to develop a property access plan (PAP) unique to each property.

Before any construction work starts on private property, there will also be a comprehensive property condition survey to document conditions. This is part of the PAP and will be provided at least two months before construction begins.

Minimising impacts to landowners - Construction phase

We have been working with ACEREZ ensure impacts to landholders during the construction phase are mitigated and landholders stay informed as construction progresses. 

• All construction activities will be contained within the construction site boundaries.
• Water spray trucks will be used to reduce dust.
• All applicable environmental controls will be in place during the work.
• Access to private properties will be in accordance with the agreed property access plans.
• The expected noise levels have been modelled and are unlikely to affect residents. Noise modelling and monitoring will help ensure any noise outside of standard working hours complies with project approvals.

More information is available on the ACEREZ website 

Visit the ACEREZ website