Heritage Cases

The Final Basic Assessment report submitted to DFFE in 2019 indicates that proposed 132kV powerline, MTS and 400kV powerline were assessed within a 500m corridor. At the time of the assessment it was indicated that the location of the MTS within this authorised grid connection corridor was not considered to be an ideal location for the MTS as it had been positioned in an area with hills and numerous small drainage lines leading off the slopes onto the adjacent plains. The assessment indicated that a significant amount of earth moving and levelling would be required to prepare the site. However, as no species of high conservation concern were observed within the development footprint, the authorised location was selected at the time. Following further surveys of the site it was determined that the authorised location of the MTS was unsuitable for construction works due to the steep nature of the site. It had also been determined that this MTS would be deemed as the connection hub for other renewable energy project in the area should they be selected as preferred bidders in the upcoming bid windows. The steep nature of the MTS location would inhibit the connection of other projects in the future. It was determined the MTS could be relocated to a more suitable location to enable construction work and future connection opportunities to the national grid. The relocation of the MTS within the 500m grid corridor would enable the developer to determine the suitable location based on site sensitivities, terrain and elevation within this already assessed grid corridor. As the authorised 132kV powerline feeds into this MTS, the end co-ordinates authorised within the EA would need to be amended, and as the authorised 400kV powerline starts that the MTS its start co-ordinates would need to be amended accordingly. It was determined the 500m corridor that had been assessed for the electrical grid infrastructure would remain unchanged and not deviate from original assessed. The impacts of the grid connection infrastructure to support the Rietrug, Sutherland and Sutherland 2 WEFs have been assessed within the BA for the development. The significance of impacts were determined to be very low to moderate significance after the implementation of mitigation measures with special buffer recommendations on areas of high sensitivity. The new location of the MTS take into consideration the areas of high sensitivity and buffer recommendations from an ecological, surface water, soil and agricultural potential and heritage perspective. Following considerations of the technical aspects of the project by the Developer regarding the relocation of the MTS for the development as part of the more detailed design of the facility, it has been concluded that the new location sited within the authorised grid corridor is considered as the most feasible location for the MTS. In overview, the applicant is applying to amend the authorised location of the MTS and related start and end co-ordinates of the 132kV and 400kV powerlines as it is the most feasible option from a technical perspective to allow for construction activities and connection to the nation grid for the Rietrug, Sutherland and Sutherland 2 WEFs as well other projects that may require connection to the nation grid in the future.