TransGrid, the state-owned corporation responsible for NSW’s high voltage electricity network, today released the Review of Environmental Factors for their Orange North Redevelopment Project.
The Orange Redevelopment Project is a $57 million investment by TransGrid to secure power supply in the Central West region and Orange City into the future by upgrading the existing Orange Substation on William Street and building a new Switching Station nearby.
The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is an important step in the project and has been prepared to assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed works. The review covers land use, noise, hours of work, traffic and access, flood levels, flora and fauna, cultural heritage, visual amenity and landscape, geology and soils, and electric and magnetic fields.
“The REF display period is a great opportunity for local community members to have their say on an essential project to help secure their electricity supply into the future,” said Michael Gatt, General Manager Corporate at TransGrid.
“TransGrid is consulting directly with the Orange community about the project, with input from the REF display feeding directly into the project approval and assessment process,” said Mr Gatt.
“The Orange North redevelopment project is being undertaken to increase the reliability of power supply to the Central West region and Orange City for the future”, he said.
“With demand for power increasing steadily in the region, it is an essential investment for the future security of the electricity grid which supplies Orange, Cabonne and Blayney.”
The Orange North Substation is now over 50 years old and the current substation site is too small to complete all the necessary upgrades. The proposed new switching station will be built nearby as part of a larger redevelopment project for the region’s power supply.
“Once the redevelopment is completed, the new switching station will be connected to Country Energy’s distribution cables, making the project vital in securing the regions power supply,” said Mr Gatt.
The Orange North redevelopment project is scheduled to occur over the next four years, with construction expected to commence in July 2010.
Public display of REF
The REF is currently on public display at TransGrid’s Regional Office at 64-84 Williams Street, Orange.
The REF is also available to download at www.transgrid.com.au/orangenorth or on CD by request.
Submissions from members of the public on the REF will be accepted until 4pm 22 January 2010. Submission should be sent to:
Project Enquiry Officer
Orange North Redevelopment Project
PO Box A1000
Sydney South
NSW 1235
Should any interested members of the community wish to find out more about the project, please contact us on our toll-free project hotline: 1800 222 537 or e-mail us at orangenorth.substation@transgrid.com.au.
Note: TransGrid’s Orange Regional Office will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period between 12pm 24 December 2009 and 4 January 2010.
Media Contact: David Fayyad Corporate Relations Manager (02) 9284 3529