Overview
Renewable energy company, Windlab, has engaged Powerlink to investigate transmission line connection options for their proposed Bungaban Wind Farm, about 40km north east of Wandoan. The 1.4GW wind farm will have the capacity to generate enough energy to power 700,000 homes and enhance the security and reliability of the electricity network by diversifying the generation mix and increasing transmission capacity in the region.
The transmission infrastructure proposed for the project includes one new substation and a new 275kV transmission line between Powerlink’s existing Wandoan South Substation and the wind farm development. Powerlink has commenced exploring options for the transmission line and engaging with stakeholders in the region to encourage their feedback and input.
Our current priority is engaging with landholders, Traditional Owner groups, the community and other stakeholders to understand the local community and their values. It is this deeper understanding of the community and direct engagement with local people that will inform our processes and shape the corridor selection process going forward.
Status
As part of our grid connection investigations, we released a high-level study area in July 2024 and began engaging with landholders, Traditional Owner groups, community members and other stakeholders. We commenced with telephone calls to landholders within the study area (where contact details were publicly available), briefings with community groups and local councils, and hosted community information drop-in sessions to gather specific feedback and insights.
Over four days we met with nearly 50 community members who spoke with our project team, asked questions and shared their feedback. Input and insights we received during these sessions, and via email, telephone calls, on-site meetings, stakeholder visits, feedback forms and project page comments have informed our analysis and helped us identify two corridor options for further investigation.
Once a project need is identified, we engage with communities during a number of stages as we work collaboratively to determine the most appropriate location for a new transmission line. This brochure explains these engagement opportunities as part of our Transmission Easement Engagement Process (TEEP), from the commencement of a project, approval pathways and construction, through to maintenance of the infrastructure.
We are now at step two of our TEEP, seeking feedback on potential corridor options for the transmission line.
Corridor Options Report
After careful consideration of the engagement feedback received, combined with desktop analysis, two corridor options for the transmission line have been identified. They share a common section through the highly constrained area between the Wandoan South Substation and Roche Creek Road. Beyond this point, the common section splits into two possible routes to the Bungaban Wind Farm site: Corridor Option 1 (South) and Corridor Option 2 (North).
Engagement with landholders, Traditional Owner groups, community members and other stakeholders occurred throughout November and December 2024 to gather insights and feedback on these options.
In working through the feedback and our own analysis, we’re confident we have identified the majority of a recommended corridor which will include Corridor Option 1 (South) with some realignment. Corridor Option 2 (north) has been discounted based on direct landholder feedback and its lower performance when compared to social, environmental, and economic factors.
There is a small section between Roche Creek Road and Middle Creek Road that we are seeking to investigate further following information that has come to light through our engagement to date. This investigation area will help us to determine the most suitable corridor with least overall impacts through this area that considers existing and planned land use.
Our Landholder Relations team is already actively working with landholders in the investigation area, and we’ve reached out to other landholders along the current corridor options to update them and gather any further input they might like to share.
A recommended corridor will be released during April a little later than the planned February release. Once we release the recommended corridor, we will again seek further feedback and input from landholders, Traditional Owners, community members and other stakeholders.
Get involved
Powerlink is dedicated to working respectfully with landholders, Traditional Owner groups, the community and other stakeholders every step of the way. An important part of our engagement is offering communities the opportunity to meet with us in-person at our community information drop-in sessions.
Community INFORMATION DROP-IN SESSIONS
We will be hosting more community information sessions on the recommended corridor in late April or early May. We will provide details to the community on the date, times and locations very soon.
We were in Wandoan on November 19 and 20 for a series of community information drop-in sessions. We thank those who braved the rain to attend these sessions and for providing your valuable insights and feedback.
Wandoan show
Members of our Powerlink team will be attending the Wandoan Show on Saturday 5 April 2025. Please pop by our information stall to ask us any questions about this project or to learn more about Powerlink and our role in the energy network.
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS
Additional feedback on this investigation area will be open until 5pm Sunday 30 March. Feedback can be shared by emailing or calling our project team on 07 38984 838.
PROJECT Update: online session
We hosted an online information session on Tuesday 10 December 2024 for those not able to attend our community information drop-in sessions. You can view a recording of the session and the presentation below.
INTERACTIVE MAPs
Following the release of the Corridor Options Report in November 2024, an interactive map was available for public comment. View the feedback received on our corridor options interactive map.
During the release of the Study Area in July 2024, an interactive map was available for public comment. View the feedback received on the study area interactive map.
