Families encouraged to enjoy free holiday fun at the popular Transgrid Discovery Hub

More than 3,200 community members have visited the interactive and engaging centre at Wagga Wagga since April. It’s the first facility of its kind in Australia, showcasing the clean energy transition and major transmission infrastructure projects.

Transgrid Executive General Manager Stakeholder, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Maryanne Graham said: “The Transgrid Discovery Hub has transformed the way we engage with the Riverina community, with its interactive and engaging experiences offering a fascinating insight into arguably one of the most critical subjects on the national agenda, energy.

“The summer school holiday period is the perfect time for local families to immerse themselves in the exciting world of energy by exploring everything the Hub has to offer."

“I’m delighted that thousands of local residents have come through the doors to experience a journey of innovation and collaboration and learn more about the region’s important role in the clean energy transition.”

The Hub provides information about the power system, energy generation and the transition to renewables. Visitors are able to interact with the displays, using unique experiences like our kinetic bike (to charge mobile phones) and the centre also offers a virtual reality tour of a high-voltage substation.

EV charging stations and a free Wi-Fi and mobile phone charging bench has also proved popular with local residents, students and CBD workers.

Local businesses continue to visit the facility to discuss opportunities to secure valuable supply contracts on major transmission infrastructure projects – just one-way Transgrid Group is supporting jobs and economic growth in the region.

Community and business organisations have also embraced the facility, with the Hub team hosting over 100 meetings, workshops and conferences, including the Regional Development Australia Riverina Country Change Expo, a Community Grants Workshop, and Bush Fire Management Committee meetings.

The Hub has also attracted visits from key industry and government stakeholders, including the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, our consumer advocate representatives, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; the Energy Corporation of NSW; and Origin Energy.

Regional Development Australia Riverina Operations Manager Amanda Cappello, who has staged several events at the Transgrid Discovery Hub, brought her children to the facility to experience everything on offer.

“My children absolutely loved the virtual reality experience at the Hub. It’s such an engaging and innovative space where kids have fun while learning about energy and technology,” she said.

Junee Community Network grants officer Nicholas Pyers attended the Community Grants Workshop at the Hub in September to learn more about funding opportunities from Transgrid and other organisations.

“The Hub is truly a state-of-the-art facility and has really set the standard on facilitating community engagement in regional NSW,” Mr Pyers said.

“We would like to replicate something similar in our community as accessible and immersive as what the Transgrid Discovery Hub provides.” 

Members of the Riverina Bush Fire Management Committee held their bi-annual meetings and several workshops at the Hub to discuss bushfire mitigation strategies. Rural Fire Service Riverina Zone Manager Superintendent Roger Orr said: “The Hub is an amazing addition to the area and brings so much information to the community. The meeting facilities have made it seamless from a networking perspective. It is a great setup allowing us to engage with our committee members, as well as ease of access to Transgrid employees when planning and executing activities regarding major projects in the region.”

Business NSW has a strong working relationship with Transgrid and has hosted various round table events with Federal and State Minsters and Members of Parliament at the Hub to discuss regional opportunities and challenges, as well as better ways to promote the Riverina Murray.

“The Discovery Hub is a great offering to the region; it provides a unique opportunity to engage with the major projects in the Riverina and really fills a gap of spaces available to facilitate our events,” Business NSW Regional Director of Riverina Murray Serena Hardwick said.

“Feedback we’ve received from members and Ministers is that they find the facility exceptional in the way it allows visitors to visually connect with the works taking place in the region.”

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Media enquiries: Jaryd Ramsey 0407 102 396