Environmental impact statement for the New England REZ Network Infrastructure Project

We understand that our local communities care about their surrounding environments including native vegetation. We are committed to reducing the project’s impact by carefully planning our work and protecting local species and landscapes.
Less than a third of the project footprint involves native vegetation removal – around 3,203 hectares. Of the native vegetation to be removed, around 42 per cent is forest and woodland while the rest is grassland.

In all instances we will seek to avoid and minimise environmental impacts where possible, and the project will have no impact on national parks or nature reserves. 
Where impacts cannot be avoided, they will be managed in accordance with NSW’s biodiversity assessment and offset requirements.

When an infrastructure project impacts native plants, animals or habitats, NSW legislation requires these impacts to be offset by gains that benefit those same species and ecosystems.

This means conserving and enhancing biodiversity in other locations so that, overall, there is no net loss.

EnergyCo will meet its biodiversity offset obligations for the project through a strategic offset delivery agreement (SODA) with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Under the SODA, it’s expected that at least 4,000 hectares of koala habitat would be protected and restored. This will help protect land that provides food, shelter and movement corridors for koalas, helping to strengthen habitat connectivity and improve resilience of local koala populations over time.

We recognise the strong community connection to koalas and the importance of protecting koalas and other wildlife.

The EIS identifies that around 1,373 hectares of koala habitat would be impacted by the project. Of this, 604 hectares is forest and woodland while 768 hectares is scattered trees, mostly in farmland.

Impacts on koala habitat will be offset, and we expect to see an extensive area of habitat restoration delivered.

We are looking at ways to ensure animals, including koalas, move across the transmission corridor safely. This may include retaining trees in some places, providing koala refuge poles, glider poles, rope bridges and keeping important habitat features like hollow logs and rocks on the ground for smaller animals.

We are working to keep smaller trees and vegetation where we can in the transmission easement.

A connectivity strategy will be prepared that identifies where habitat linkages are, and how we will encourage animals to continue to move through the transmission easement to those habitat linkages.

To build the infrastructure required for the New England REZ we will require a large workforce that will be spread across five proposed workforce camps of around 320 to 550 beds each. The workforce will include around 1,400 people at peak.

The proposed locations of the workforce camps are close to where we are planning construction, meaning less travel time for workers and reduced impacts on local traffic.   

Providing dedicated accommodation and facilities will help reduce pressure on local housing and short-term accommodation while supporting safe and efficient construction.

Construction of the New England REZ network infrastructure project will require a large workforce.

EnergyCo and its future network operator will focus on maximising opportunities for local workers, businesses and suppliers through employment pathways, training and regional procurement opportunities. 

The project is expected to create around 1,000 jobs in the New England region and around 2,000 direct and indirect construction jobs in NSW.

While some specialised roles will need to be filled by workers from outside the region, EnergyCo and the network operator will work to maximise local participation wherever possible.

EnergyCo understands the vital role farming and agriculture play in the New England and Upper Hunter regions. 

Agriculture and transmission lines successfully co‑exist across NSW. Farmers routinely run grazing, cropping and day‑to‑day farm operations under and around transmission lines. This is standard practice across the state’s existing 330 kV and 500 kV networks.

The total reduction in agricultural production value during construction is minor, equating to approximately 0.1% of total agricultural output across affected local government areas. 

Once the project is operational, the impact to agricultural output decreases to an annual production loss of around 0.02%. 

The project’s 471‑hectare operational footprint includes 438 hectares of agricultural land, representing a minor impact at a regional scale. 

Most farming activities can continue safely in and around the easement once operational.

EnergyCo recognises the biosecurity concerns for farmers, and we have been working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and anthrax specialists to assess and manage any impacts. 

Anthrax spores occur naturally in some soils in parts of Australia. Some transmission infrastructure for the New England REZ is proposed in the Rouchel area in the Upper Hunter region where historical anthrax outbreaks have been recorded.

Biosecurity controls will be outlined in a biosecurity management plan which will be implemented during construction to minimise the risk of the spread of disease, pests or weeds. 

We will also implement the animal biosecurity management procedures for anthrax outlined by DPIRD. We will work with landholders to develop property‑specific risk‑management strategies tailored to their livestock and operations.

The EIS includes a detailed assessment of traffic and transport impacts and identifies measures to manage them safely during construction.

While some temporary traffic changes will be required, including speed reductions, signage and line marking, the project also involves upgrades to parts of the local and state road network, such as turning lanes, road widening and improved access points.

EnergyCo is also working with Transport for NSW on targeted road upgrades to support the safe transport of large renewable energy infrastructure into Renewable Energy Zones.

EnergyCo understands that the impacts from noise and vibration is important to our communities, as we've learnt from previous helicopter work in the area. 

Helicopters may be used for conductor stringing, tower erection, aerial inspections and construction support activities. Helicopters may also be used for tower erection in select locations where access is constrained. 

Helicopter activities would generally be short-term and intermittent. Noise impacts are expected to be limited in duration but may be noticeable while helicopter operations are taking place.

We will continue to work closely with landholders to understand potential impacts and listen to feedback to minimise impacts on farms and livestock during any aerial activity.

The EIS studies found the presence of new transmission infrastructure would not increase bushfire risk for the community. Transmission lines and energy hubs are being carefully planned to ensure they can operate safely in a bushfire-prone landscape.

We consulted with the NSW Rural Fire Service and firefighting stakeholders as we developed the EIS and will keep working with them as the project progresses.

The transmission corridor was realigned to minimise aerial firefighting impacts at Chaffey Dam and Lake Glenbawn, ensuring water-scooping activities can continue safely. 

Site‑specific bushfire management procedures will be in place during construction and operation to reduce the likelihood of bushfire affecting project infrastructure, ensure safe access for emergency services, and support the continued safe operation of these facilities during bushfire conditions.

NSW Rural Fire Service has established protocols for fighting fires around transmission lines, both from the ground and in the air. 

EnergyCo understands water security and avoiding impacts on local water supply are serious issues for communities and councils in the region.

The EIS studies found the project’s water demand would generally be distributed across multiple catchments and water sharing plan areas, representing only a small proportion of available water resources.

Our priority is to capture and store rainwater and reuse treated wastewater where possible. We would then look at entering into agreements with willing landholders, before considering surface and groundwater sources. 

With these measures in place, we expect our water needs to be modest and mostly accessible from existing sources.

We understand the EIS is a lengthy and technical document and have provided opportunities, tools and resources to help the community better understand its contents. 

EnergyCo will run a range of consultation activities for the EIS, including 10 drop-in information sessions and webinars on key topics.

Drop‑in sessions give people the chance to have detailed conversations with our subject matter experts. Online briefings and webinars also allow community members to ask questions anonymously, which we have heard is important for some people.

Details of upcoming events and all our latest resources will be available on the project’s engagement portal – energyco.nsw.gov.au/nerez