Environment

Environmental assessment

The Electricity Network Assets (Authorised Transactions) Act 2015 refers to privately managed network businesses, including Transgrid, as Authorised Network Operators (ANOs).

The NSW Government allows ANOs to assess and self-determine proposed activities that are not likely to significantly affect the environment, for the purposes of section 111A of the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).

NSW Code of Practice for Authorised Network Operators

We follow the NSW Code of Practice for Authorised Network Operators when carrying out environmental assessments under Part 5 of the EP&A Act. This requires us to publish a Consultation Protocol outlining how we conduct environmental impact assessments for Class 4 and 5 Activities (as defined in the Code). At Transgrid, we refer to these environmental impact assessments as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF).

This protocol provides a tailored approach to consultation when preparing REFs and includes consultation with members of the public; the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment; and government authorities.

Visit our projects pages to learn about environmental assessments for specific projects.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage

We recognise that significant Aboriginal heritage sites may be in the vicinity of Transgrid easements, properties and access tracks. A range of steps are in place to protect these heritage sites, and reduce the risk of harm in the areas in which we operate.

Prior to any works involving ground disturbance or vegetation removal, we use a geospatial information system (GIS) and robust due diligence assessments to identify any potential impacts to Aboriginal heritage.

Where potential impacts are identified, we work in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to specify any restrictions or mandatory controls that need to be in place.

Learn more about how we engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ecology and biodiversity

Biodiversity plays an essential role in supporting healthy ecosystems and is critical to preserving our natural environment for future generations.

Protecting the habitats of species that live in the areas in which we operate is one of our key priorities. We have a robust risk assessment process in place to protect the natural habitat of the many endangered species who live near our assets.

This process ensures that, in complying with the relevant legislative requirements, a balance can be achieved between managing biodiversity impact risks and mitigating bush fire risks in a practical and efficient manner.

Due diligence

We use a geospatial information system (GIS) to carry out due diligence assessments to identify any potential biodiversity impacts before proceeding with works involving ground disturbance or vegetation removal.

Where potential impacts are identified, environmental professionals are required to authorise the works and specify any restrictions or mandatory controls that need to be in place.

Staff and delivery partners must adhere to our schedule of approved pesticides. This is reviewed periodically to ensure we continue to address government, community and other stakeholder expectations regarding the use of pesticides in the environment.

Consultation with stakeholders, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service and landowners is essential to increasing awareness around the biodiversity risks surrounding certain species. This knowledge is then incorporated into subsequent due diligence assessments.

Our risk assessment is reviewed and updated on an annual basis based on government changes to threatened species listings.

Biodiversity Offsets Scheme

Transgrid’s major transmission projects which are declared as Critical State Significant Infrastructure are subject to the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS).

We are required to document, via Environmental Impact Statements, how project impacts on biodiversity will be avoided and minimised, with the remaining residual impacts to be offset in accordance with the BOS.

Offsets can be achieved by establishing Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs), purchasing and retiring recognised biodiversity credits, or payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund. The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is responsible for managing private conservation programs including Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs).

A Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement (BSA) sets up a form of private land conservation, where a landholder manages some or all their land for biodiversity, nature or wildlife conservation purposes.

Transgrid is establishing BSAs on private lands to offset the impacts of its EnergyConnect project. The BSAs will result in valuable biodiversity being permanently preserved, including habitat for threatened animals and plants such as the critically endangered Plains-wanderer and Desert Hopbush.

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust recognises BSAs as the highest level of conservation protection possible on private land.

BSAs result in fully funded site actions to increase biodiversity including the management of native vegetation, threatened species habitat, weeds, human disturbance and pest animals.

Biosecurity

Accessing land and property brings with it the potential to spread pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants.

Minimising these biosecurity risks is a shared responsibility between Transgrid, our delivery partners, local and state government bodies, industry, landholders and the community. We work closely with all of these parties and seek feedback on the most practical and efficient ways to reduce these risks, as far as reasonable practicable.

Our staff and delivery partners are kept informed about potential biosecurity restrictions through training, data contained in our geospatial information system (GIS) and other resources. Procedures are in place to minimise any negative environmental impacts.

Register your details

We are keen to understand landowner concerns around biosecurity. If you are a landowner, and would like to record any details in our GIS system, please contact our environment team on 1800 222 537. 

Waste management

Operational waste at Transgrid predominantly arises from construction and maintenance activities.

The way in which we manage and dispose of this waste has a considerable impact on our overall environmental footprint – and so we have standard controls in place based on the following waste hierarchy principles:

• avoid waste as far as possible
• reduce where possible
• reuse when appropriate
• recycle where options are available
• dispose of waste appropriately at licenced facilities.

Staff and delivery partners have access to a suite of procedures and guidance notes to support implementation of these principles.

Some of our initiatives to support responsible waste management include donating redundant timber poles to landowners who can re-use the materials, partnering with other organisations to re-use spoil from our site excavations and sending redundant electrical equipment to specialist recycling companies where precious metals cab be extracted and recycled.