Environmental impact statement for the Hunter Transmission Project

The environmental impact statement (EIS) is an important part of the assessment process for all major projects in NSW. This includes critical State significant infrastructure (CSSI) such as the HTP.

The EIS assesses how the project could impact the environment, economy and communities during construction and operation, and ways to manage these impacts. It also includes a number of technical reports that explain how the studies were prepared and share detailed findings. 

Preparing the EIS involves detailed technical studies and consultation with landowners and communities to refine the transmission corridor and assess potential impacts.

The EIS was lodged with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and was on public exhibition from 27 August to 24 September 2025. 

During the public exhibition period, communities and stakeholders could view the EIS on the NSW Planning Portal and make a submission. 

We will now review the community's feedback and prepare a Submissions Report. This lists all submissions received and our proposed response or action. We may also issue an Amendment Report that details proposed changes to the project, as a result of community feedback. 

The report will be lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and released to the public.     

Community engagement will continue throughout this period.

To learn more about planning approvals and the EIS, see the page environmental impact statement for the Hunter Transmission Project, or view the digital EIS.

The EIS covers a wide range of topics to help make sure the project is delivered responsibly, safely and with care for people, culture and the environment. The assessment areas are based on the Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements that were issued in August 2024.

Impacts are assessed through a range of methods including desktop research, comprehensive field studies and engagement with stakeholders.

Topics being assessed include: 

• Biodiversity
• Agriculture
• Social
• Historic heritage
• Land use and property
• Surface water and soils
• Groundwater
• Noise and vibration
• Contamination
• Flooding
• Hazards and risks, including bushfire risk
• Cumulative impacts
• Aboriginal heritage
• Landscape and visual
• Traffic and transport

Visit the NSW Planning Portal or the project's digital EIS for more information.

Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), CSSI applications such as the Hunter Transmission Project must be approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces following a comprehensive assessment process. The includes extensive community consultation and the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS).

The Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water has also declared the Hunter Transmission Project a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) because it may have a significant impact on matters of national environment significance.

This means the Hunter Transmission Project needs the approval of both Ministers before it can go ahead.