- Powerlink has developed a new framework – the SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework - that significantly boosts payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure.
- Under the new framework, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments.
- The increase in payments is based on property-specific values and impacts, as opposed to using only a flat rate.
- Powerlink will also become the first transmission company in Australia to offer payments to landholders with properties adjacent to new transmission infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni:
“Queenslanders have worked hard to build an efficient publicly-owned energy system. This new payment framework will see landholders receive a fair payment to recognise the important role they have in allowing us to deliver Queensland’s SuperGrid.
“We’re building the Queensland SuperGrid, the nation’s largest, to transport cheap, clean, and secure renewable energy from across the state, to power more homes and support new industries and job opportunities.
“Powerlink is now in a position to offer higher payments for the majority of Queensland landholders hosting transmission infrastructure compared to arrangements in place prior to the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”
Quotes attributable to Powerlink Chief Executive Paul Simshauser:
“Increasing landholder and community expectations, together with the release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, had prompted a review of Powerlink’s approach starting in October 2022.
“The new framework was guided by a dedicated reference group of stakeholders including representatives from a broad cross-section of interests, from councils and agricultural groups to large energy user advocates and consumer groups.
“Providing landholders with greater flexibility around the timing of payments, with both up front and annual payment options now available, was important – along with ensuring the new framework considered the variance in property values across different regions, rather than applying a blanket approach.”
Attributable to Jo Sheppard, CEO, Queensland Farmers’ Federation:
“QFF has been pleased to be able to contribute to ongoing detailed discussions through the Powerlink reference group in relation to the proposed new payment framework that will now see landholders receive payments that are more reflective of the use of their land.
“It is important that a process is in place to represent the interests of those who will be directly impacted by transmission lines and that the needs of landholders and the broader agriculture sector are considered as the complexities of integrating grid infrastructure are navigated.
“QFF will continue to work with Powerlink to support landholders to ensure the interests of farmers are represented and minimal impacts to agricultural land occur during the renewable energy rollout to protect the future viability of our valuable food, fibre and foliage production systems.”
Further information:
- Review of payments approach was commenced by Powerlink in October 2022 in response to rising community expectations and the release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
- The new payments framework was guided by a dedicated stakeholder reference group including Queensland Farmers Federation, LGAQ, RE-Alliance and Energy Users Association of Australia.
- The new payment framework will apply to all current and future transmission connection greenfield projects where landholder payment negotiations have not commenced.
- It will also see an increase in flexibility around the timing of payments, offering an annual payment option, and giving payment estimates to landholders much earlier in the process.
- New payment option for landholders within, or partially within, a 1km radius of a final transmission easement.
- For more information on the new payment framework, read the SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework
What is the Queensland SuperGrid?
The Queensland SuperGrid is all of the elements in our modern electricity system, including the poles, wires, solar, wind and storage that will provide Queenslanders with clean, reliable and affordable power for generations.
It will consist of new foundational Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) assets, new backbone transmission, more renewables in Queensland Renewable Energy Zones (QREZ), more batteries, and low to zero emission gas.
This infrastructure will allow us to reliably generate, store and transport cleaner electricity across the state with greater energy independence.
Independent modelling also estimates that the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will deliver 64,000 jobs in clean energy infrastructure including new skilled direct jobs to build the Queensland SuperGrid.
