Pole plan sparks angst

NSW’s electricity transmission network operator TransGrid late last year canned its proposal for a 215 kilometre, 330 kilovolt line, which would have run through grazing, cropping and wine properties on the Northern Tablelands and Northern Rivers, following widespread community and farming opposition.

However, moves this year to establish the six new structures linking TransGrid’s Dumaresq Switching Station to an existing telecommunication pole at South Gundarimba, near Lismore, have farmers concerned the cancellation will be short-lived.

TransGrid officials said the northern telecommunications link is an entirely separate project and is required for compliance purposes.

The work is needed to meet regulations set by the Australian Energy Market Operator to maintain a reliable telecommunications link as a secondary support system, said TransGrid’s Laura Stewart.

It would replace a temporary system, she said.

The telecommunications network is used to operate, protect and gather data from substations, equipment and transmission lines remotely.

“TransGrid’s telecommunications infrastructure is essential to the provision of a safe, reliable and efficient high-voltage electricity network across NSW,” Ms Stewart said.

Structures have been designed for sites as Dumaresq, Girard State Forest, Simpkins Creek, Parrots Nest, Mount Hallam and Mount Mackenzie, with work due to start in July and be completed within a year.

Community and farming groups said the new project, combined with the fact TransGrid continued with its easement acquisition on properties involved in the planned high voltage power line up until March this year, spoke to a hidden agenda to resurrect the project sooner rather than later.

Spokeswoman for the Upper Dumaresq Action Group, sheep and cattle grazier Julia Harpham, “Moorabinda”, west of Tenterfield, said there were questions as to “why Dumaresq and South Gundarimba need to communicate when there is to be no power line”.

TransGrid’s announcement in October that the Bonshaw to Lismore line plan had been cancelled was met with delight across much of the region, but Mrs Harpham said many were still “suspicious with good reason” the fight was not over.

Member for the Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the cancellation was recognition of the evidence gathered by communities that the line was not needed for decades, if ever, due to the decline in demand by end-users.

Greens MP John Kaye said households across the State were spared the $250 million bill for a project that could never be justified.

Mrs Harpham said given the background of TransGrid proposals for northern NSW, communities had every right to question the necessity of the current telecommunications link, particularly considering structures would have a negative impact on some farming operations.

PLANS to build a 15-metre pole and 15m by 10m associated shelter on crown land at Simpkins Creek as part of TransGrid’s new telecommunications link don’t fit with what the Mills family expected for their future.

They run a Hereford-cross replacement heifer operation, and had plans to move into tourism.

“Mills family cattle have grazed this area of land for more than 40 years,” Fiona Borello-Mills said.

“Our property has heritage-listed National Park on two borders and is along a well-promoted tourist route. Eco-tourism was something we were looking to in the future. A structure like this certainly doesn’t fit in with that.”

TransGrid said the six sites in the link needed to be in line of sight of each other and had been carefully selected to achieve minimal disruption to the community and environment.

“A site is only selected following our strict community engagement and consultation process in order to minimise any direct or aesthetic impact on the broader community and environment,” TransGrid’s Laura Stewart said.

TransGrid was currently undertaking research and assessments to that end, including using existing structures and access tracks where possible.