Our new study corridor

The new study area means 98 private landowners in the existing 1km-wide corridor will no longer be impacted. The new study area initially includes around 105 new private landowners; however, this number will reduce as we refine from a 3km-wide study area to a 1km-wide corridor. It’s too early to say how many landowners will be within the 1km-wide corridor, however we expect the overall number of impacted landowners will reduce further.

There are unavoidable impacts by updating the corridor, including a revised development program for the project. This is necessary to make sure we can complete a robust assessment of the project for environmental planning approvals and allow more time for community engagement. 

Timing changes are part of delivering complex projects. While the development timeline may take longer, the updated corridor will make the project easier and faster to build. 

We are now expecting to lodge the EIS in the second half of 2026 with indicative planning approvals in 2027. 

We previously advised that the New England REZ would deliver 6 gigawatts (GW) of network transfer capacity by 2034 through the first two stages. This will allow up to 12GW of new renewable energy generation to connect to the grid by the mid-2030s.

It is still too early to know the exact delivery date for the REZ, however we are working to understand this as we engage with industry in the network operator procurement process.

We will keep the community informed about further updates to the planned energisation dates as more information becomes available.

EnergyCo’s previous 1km-wide study corridor partially followed the existing 330kV transmission line corridor between Muswellbrook and Tamworth.

While co-location with existing transmission lines can help consolidate impacts to a local area, further detailed technical assessments found that co-location in these areas is problematic due to steep terrain, increasing constructability risks, environmental impacts and safety risks.

The existing 330kV transmission line was first built in the 1960s and uses the best available locations in the area. That means our two proposed 500kV lines would be located in more challenging areas, typically on land that is steeper and harder to build on, requiring more earthworks.

Some locations next to the existing lines presented extremely challenging terrain where access had significant high grades for long lengths. In these locations, non-conventional construction techniques such as heavy-lift helicopters would be needed to build the lines due to the access constraints. However, helicopter usage is further constrained due to safety risks of construction next to a live high voltage line.

While this may be technically feasible, the new study area we’ve identified would provide better overall outcomes with reduced impacts for construction, local roads and the environment.

In August 2024, EnergyCo reviewed the Aberbaldie-Niangala travelling stock reserve (TSR) as an alternative corridor option for the New England REZ transmission lines following requests from the local community. The key driver of this request was to maximise the use of public land by using the TSR itself.

The TSR was assessed through EnergyCo’s typical route selection and change management process including a multi-criteria analysis based on our planning pillars and principles. EnergyCo’s assessment found an alignment following the TSR provided less favourable outcomes against multiple criteria, most notably impacts to private landowners. The TSR was not progressed on this basis.

This assessment found that placing the alignment exclusively within the TSR would have significant impacts including proximity to homes, high conservation value biodiversity within the TSR and the surrounding area, impacts to Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land (BSAL) and the requirement for increased vegetation clearance.

While the new study area is located in the vicinity of the TSR, it is not positioned entirely within it. This approach helps to avoid the constraints and impacts that are outlined in the TSR assessment report.

The TSR assessment report identified that the area surrounding the TSR offers more favourable terrain, improved accessibility, and better bushfire management. The new study area takes advantages of these favourable conditions in the nearby area. To view the TSR assessment report and FAQs, visit EnergyCo’s website.

Impact to agricultural land was considered in our decision to move the corridor, as outlined in the Bulk Corridor Design Refinement Report. The new study area crosses fewer areas mapped as biophysical strategic agricultural land (BSAL) compared to the previous corridor. We are seeking input from landowners in the 3km study area on how they use their land for farming and business operations so that this can be considered as we refine to a 1km-wide corridor and then a final 140m wide easement (generally 70m for each 500kV line).

When assessing land use impacts, we use the SEED Portal which is the NSW Government’s central resource for environmental data. We used the SEED Portal to map agricultural land across the new study area and minimise broad impacts where possible.

Data sources are listed on p.82 of the report. This includes links to the specific layers used for each dataset.

We have carried out detailed desktop analysis of environmental assessments for the new study area and will look to engage landowners for land access for field work shortly so we can understand biodiversity values in more detail at a local level. From our preliminary environmental assessments, we expect there will be fewer overall impacts due to a smaller project disturbance area and less earthworks required for enabling work, which will mean less clearing of native vegetation. The new study area also avoids a biodiversity offset site at Chaffey Dam. The environmental impacts of the project will be assessed in detail in the environmental impact statement (EIS) which will be finalised and placed on public exhibition in the second half of 2026.

We aim to locate the transmission corridor on suitable public lands, where possible, as guided by the NSW Transmission Guideline environment and land use principle. We appreciate that state forests have multiple uses such as conservation of biodiversity and heritage, protection of water resources, and public recreation such as walking, camping and hunting, in addition to commercial timber production.

The new corridor crosses about 11km of Nundle State Forest, north of Nundle township. We are investigating how the corridor can best avoid and minimise impacts on forestry operations, recreation, and biodiversity and cultural heritage values of the forest. We will continue to work with responsible agencies to determine the best way to minimise these impacts.

EnergyCo and transmission network operators engage with NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and other emergency service providers during the planning, construction and operation of transmission networks.

We consider the history of bushfires, the density and type of vegetation, topography, access constraints and other factors that may affect bushfire risk when planning the transmission route. Our engagement with NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has played an important role in this process to date, and feedback from RFS and other firefighting stakeholders has directly informed our decision to move the transmission corridor.

We are preparing a bushfire assessment for the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will continue to be informed by ongoing consultation with NSW RFS. To support our EIS assessments, we welcome input from local firefighters on their local knowledge and insights.

EnergyCo carried out detailed engagement with RFS and other firefighting and aviation stakeholders to inform the bulk corridor refinements, specifically around avoiding aerial firefighting constraints at Chaffey Dam and Lake Glenbawn. Key activities included:

November/December 2024: Engagement with NSW RFS (State Operations and North Western Area Command) on aviation constraints at Chaffey Dam and Lake Glenbawn associated with the previous study corridor. RFS informed EnergyCo on how it uses aviation support to fight bushfires, including advice on their internal aviation resources and local specialist subcontractors Kennedy Air and Pay’s Air Services.

January 2025: Engagement with NSW RFS State Operations division on corridor impacts to aerial firefighting, including helicopter vs fixed-wing operations. RFS provided EnergyCo information on the role of each firefighting resource and explained their bushfire management processes and requirements.

April/May 2025: Further consultation with relevant aviation stakeholders including NSW RFS, Kennedy Air, Pay’s Air Service, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Forestry Corporation of NSW and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in relation to aviation support for bushfire management and the use of Chaffey Dam and Lake Glenbawn, as well as development of exclusion zones for avoiding potential conflicts at the dams. Each stakeholder shared specific information on how their assets are managed and what role they play in the bushfire management process. 

October 2025: EnergyCo contacted NSW RFS and aviation contractors to confirm the corridor would be moved, therefore avoiding the aerial exclusion zones identified around Chaffey Dam and Lake Glenbawn.

We are preparing a bushfire assessment for the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This assessment will outline detailed analysis of bushfire risk within the project area as well as mitigation measures to manage bushfire risk during construction and operation of the project. Our assessment will consider the Planning for Bushfire Protection guideline (NSW Rural Fire Service), which outlines the bushfire planning matters which need to be considered at various stages of the project development process. We will continue engaging with NSW RFS and other emergency service providers as we prepare our environmental assessments and through the construction delivery phase.

To support our bushfire assessments, we welcome input from local firefighters on their local knowledge and insights, including details about previous bushfires that may not be captured on databases.

A fact sheet is available for further details on how we consider bushfire management in planning new transmission lines.

For information on the New England REZ, please visit our website or contact the project team.

Email: nerez@energyco.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 1800 061 114 (toll free)

Website: energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne

If EnergyCo acquires an interest in your land, you are entitled to:

• compensation in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (Just Terms Act)

• strategic benefit payments under the Strategic Benefits Payments Scheme

The Just Terms Act sets out the acquisition process and how compensation is determined. Your entitlement to compensation is the same whether the easement is acquired by mutual agreement or through a compulsory process. Read our fact sheet for further details on how compensation is determined.

In addition to compensation under the Just Terms Act, the NSW Government has established a Strategic Benefit Payments (SBP) Scheme to recognise the role of landowners hosting transmission lines with a capacity of 330kV and greater. Under the SBP Scheme, landowners are paid the equivalent of $200,000 in 2022 dollars, per kilometre of eligible transmission are paid line the infrastructure hosted on their property. Payments are paid in annual instalments over 20 years, adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The payments are compensation in addition to the upfront compensation package landowners are entitled to from EnergyCo for easement acquisition in accordance with the Just Terms Act.

Compulsory acquisition is a legal process that enables EnergyCo to acquire land and easements for critical renewable energy infrastructure and when we are unable to complete the acquisition process by agreement with a landowner. We strongly prefer to reach an agreement with landowners directly and will work with them to achieve this.

Compulsory acquisition is only used as a last resort to ensure critical infrastructure projects that benefit NSW communities can proceed on schedule. We undertake this process in accordance with the Just Terms Act. Read our fact sheet for more information on how compulsory acquisition works and how we work with landowners during this process.

Importantly, no compulsory acquisition has been undertaken for the New England REZ. Acquisitions completed to date have been via mutual agreement with landowners, which is our first priority when acquiring any property or easement interests.

We use two valuations to help inform your market value compensation entitlements, conducted by qualified professional valuers, to ensure a fair outcome. This includes EnergyCo’s independent valuation as well as an independent valuation carried out by the landowner’s nominated valuer. EnergyCo will pay for your reasonable legal and valuation fees as outlined by the Just Terms Act.

The valuations will consider a range of factors that make up market value, including specific attributes like business operations which are unique to each property, to ensure landowners are fairly compensated for the acquisition. We have further resources and information available on our website and have a team of property specialists available to discuss the compensation landowners will be entitled to if we proceed with an acquisition.

Compensation for properties where land or easements will need to be acquired will be informed by an independent valuation as part of the acquisition processes. Landowners are encouraged to engage their own valuer to inform of them of their compensation, with reasonable fees reimbursed by EnergyCo.

We need to carry out field work within the new study area to inform our technical design work and environmental assessments. To do this, we will ask permission from landowners to access their property. Land access is voluntary and we will not attempt to access private land for field investigations without permission. We encourage landowners to provide access for field work, as we can deliver favourable outcomes if our environmental and technical assessments are informed by field data from private properties rather than desktop analysis alone. In areas where we don’t have access, we will need to make assumptions based on desktop analysis which may not take into consideration specific constraints and attributes of individual landholdings. You can read more in our field investigations fact sheet about how we work with landowners to carry out field work.

It is at the landowners’ discretion if they grant access to EnergyCo for field work. If early access is not granted, we would carry out any necessary site investigations once access has been obtained through the formal acquisition process under the Just Terms Act.

We encourage landowners who carry out aviation activities to contact us so we can understand your operations and use of airstrips, including weed-spraying and other activities. It is important we gather this information from landowners so we can reduce or avoid impacts to aerial operations when refining the transmission corridor, and so we can avoid putting transmission lines where low flying aerial operations take place.

An aviation assessment has not yet been completed for the project, however this will be developed as part of the EIS. The EIS will include a detailed assessment of the potential impacts to aviation safety from the construction and operation of the transmission network. The assessment will consider various aviation aerial baiting and activities including air transport operations, emergency services operations, aerial baiting and fertiliser, pest and crop spraying.

The effects of EMF from transmission lines are well studied and documented. Transmission lines produce extremely low frequency EMFs which are significantly below the international standards for human exposure both at the edge of the transmission easement and directly below the lines, and are therefore not considered a risk to health. Similarly, there is no evidence that EMF emissions have a detectable effect of EMF emissions on livestock health, milk production, fertility, behaviour or carcass quality. You can find detailed information about EMF in our fact sheet.

The EIS is a document required for state significant system. It provides infrastructure projects under the NSW planning a description of the project, how assessment, it will be constructed, and a technical including potential environmental, social and economic of mitigation measures which would be implemented to avoid, impacts to the impacts. It also outlines a range minimise and/or mitigate potential surrounding environment and local communities during the project.

The EIS will be submitted to DPHI and displayed for public exhibition for at least 28 days. During the exhibition, members of the public, government agencies and key stakeholders will be invited to make submissions to DPHI on the merits of the project.

We are currently preparing a range of detailed assessments for the EIS. We plan to lodge the EIS for public display in the second half of 2026.

After the EIS public exhibition, DPHI will collate all submissions and provide them to EnergyCo for review and consideration. EnergyCo will then prepare a submissions report that responds to the issues raised. The submissions report will be made publicly available on the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal.

Information on the project planning approval pathway is available in our fact sheet. You can also read more about the assessment process for CSSI projects at planning.nsw.gov.au.

Where access is not granted to private property during the EIS development process, EnergyCo will work with our regulators to determine the appropriate assessment method to be implemented for the project.

For biodiversity, this may include adopting methods such as desktop data and background research, remote surveys (which may include utilising surveys in nearby locations such as publicly accessible land as surrogates), and in some instances adopting conservative assumptions. We may need to prepare a revised biodiversity assessment after exhibition of the EIS to document any additional biodiversity surveys that were carried out. If the project is approved, we may also commit to conducting biodiversity surveys prior to construction to maximise the opportunity for biodiversity surveys.

For Aboriginal heritage, this may include using the predictive model based on landforms and known or recorded sites, and engaging with Native Title holders, our Registered Aboriginal Parties and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to develop a deeper understanding of the site types across the landscape. Similar to biodiversity, we may commit to preparing a revised Aboriginal cultural heritage report following exhibition of the EIS and conducting field investigations in some locations prior to construction commencing.

In the event that the central south hub is not required (i.e. if no generation and storage projects are awarded planning approval and access rights), EnergyCo would still propose to construct the bulk transmission corridor through this location to connect to the existing grid at Muswellbrook. This is the preferred location for the corridor from a constructability perspective regardless of whether a hub is built in this location.

The south hub was deferred from the REZ network infrastructure project in early 2024 and is not part of EnergyCo’s current plans for stages 1 and 2 of the network. The hub may be built in the future if needed based on energy demand, however this would be subject to a future stage of the project with a separate planning approval process and community consultation.

High voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) are different systems used for transmitting electricity. Globally, overhead lines are standard practice for 400-500kV HVAC transmission lines like those proposed for the New England REZ.

Typically, HVDC is suitable only for transferring bulk electricity point-to-point over very long distances. It is not suitable for networks that require new generation to be readily connected, like the New England REZ.

HVDC would require large and costly converter stations to convert power for connection into the existing NSW grid as it uses HVAC technology.

Using underground HVDC transmission for the New England REZ would pose significant challenges due to the long distances and would require more infrastructure to be built, which would greatly increase construction impacts, duration and costs.

This would include using large trenches, about 20m wide, over the full length of corridor which would need to be wider and deeper in areas with undulating terrain due to the need for cabling to have a minimum depth and limited bending. This means it is not a feasible solution for the project.

The existing 330kV transmission lines that currently transfer power between Bayswater, Tamworth and Armidale, and between Armidale, Kempsey and Newcastle, are operated by Transgrid. They are not suitable for the large amounts of energy to be transmitted for the New England REZ and are running near full capacity.

We considered if the existing lines could be upgraded to meet the capacity requirements for the REZ, however this option was excluded early in the evaluation process due to a number of constraints:

• high construction impacts as the existing lines would need to be taken down, easements widened, and new infrastructure built. The existing lines are not suitable for additional transmission lines to meet added capacity so any added capacity to reach the 2.4GW and 6.0GW would require new easements to be built.

• lengthy power outages during construction which would have a major impact on energy users and the operation of the National Electricity Market (NEM). Modification and building around the existing lines would also not be able to achieved without extensive power outages.

• increased impact to regional centres along the existing route which have experienced major growth since the lines were first built.

For these reasons, upgrading the existing lines was not a preferred option for the REZ and is not being considered further.

From a constructability perspective, it is technically feasible to build transmission lines along the New England Highway between Muswellbrook and the REZ as the highway generally follows flatter terrain which is favourable for construction. However, this route presents several challenges which make it unsuitable:

• the corridor would cross nearby to or through various developed townships along the highway between Bayswater Power Station and the REZ, including Aberdeen, Scone, Wingen, Murrurundi, Tamworth and Bendemeer

• the 140m-wide transmission easement for the twin 500kV lines could not be accommodated wholly within the road corridor and the lines would still need to cross adjacent land. This widened easement would place the alignment in close proximity and affect a significantly greater number of landowners compared to the current study corridor

• flatter sections of the New England Highway, such as between Tamworth and Bendemeer, already host transmission lines which means the new corridor would need to be located along steeper and more challenging terrain.

We understand that communities would like to see the new transmission lines co-locate with existing lines as much as possible to help consolidate impacts to landowners.

Co-location of the of the NE REZ Transmission lines would be challenging. It would involve constructing the new lines beside the existing Transgrid line in steep and challenging terrain.

This would require construction of new access tracks through the steep terrain, with significant earthworks required to construct the transmission tower foundations. Accessing the tower for construction for deliveries of steel, concrete and heavy construction plant would be difficult. It would also require erection of new transmission towers beside live 330kV lines. The existing transmission lines in many locations do not have remaining access that would be suitable to access a tower located adjacent. This is because of the topography and the existing access that is provided to the existing lines. In civil engineering designs, the location of the existing tower in many places was found to be at the ideal spot for traversing the difficult terrain. A tower adjacent would place this on the side of a hill resulting in the need for difficult and new access tracks or placing on the next peak meaning new access tracks.

Landowners currently hosting the existing line would also be impacted, having to host an additional 2 new 500kV lines.

To connect the transmission lines to the REZ, the transmission lines would need to traverse densely populated areas around Tamworth which would also impact a high number of landowners.