THE SOLUTION

We believe Transgrid should build HumeLink underground.   Overhead powerlines are unsafe, inefficient and will destroy the landscape.

 

Underground transmission is the better option to build.   It is much safer, more efficient and has less environmental impact. It requires a much smaller corridor.  It is also proven to be of equal cost over the life of the project.

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The State Government must approve the project before work can start.

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Internationally, undergrounding powerlines is now standard procedure.  The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) states -  ‘almost all new transmission links are underground throughout Europe, in fact are mandated in some countries, and much of Asia’.

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Underground transmission might be more expensive to install, but international governments have decided their environments are worth the extra cost. They have come to the conclusion that when you take into account the cost to the environment of overhead transmission lines, undergrounding is the cheapest option.

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Humelink Alliance supports renewable energy and wants green energy generated, and sustainable practices utilised wherever possible. 

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Benefits of undergrounding as listed by Amplitude Consultants,

The key points pertaining to the HVDC underground option being the lowest impact solution are as follows: 

• Little to no risk of underground cables causing bush fires. 

• Little to no risk of interruption to power transmission, or underground cables being affected, during bush fires or severe weather events. Power does not need to be switched off during bush fires to aid firefighting, and is highly unlikely to be disrupted due to smoke causing flashovers and potentially tripping the line. 

• Little to no impact to access e.g. for emergency services or aviation operations. 

• Minimal impact to private land or current land use once construction is completed as the easement could be designed to fit within existing road reserves. 

• Significantly reduced impact to flora and fauna due to the possible location of the cable along roadways. 

• No visual impact concerning the transmission line as the cables are buried underground. 

• Equivalent or reduced visual and land-use impact from the converter station as it would be expected to occupy a relatively similar area as a typical AC terminal station with much of the equipment being housed indoors. 

• No audible noise along the transmission line. 

• Little to no electromagnetic field impacts.

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