Regulatory process

Federal and state government regulations require all major infrastructure projects, such as HumeLink, to undergo a robust environmental assessment before they are considered for approval.

On 11 February 2022, Transgrid submitted a Scoping Report for HumeLink to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) – formerly known as DPE. The report present a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts from the project. These were further assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

DPHI reviewed the Scoping Report and on 15 March 2022 issued the Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). The SEARs sets out issues that must be addressed in the EIS.

All Critical State Significant Infrastructure development applications must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The purpose of an EIS is to identify and assess the potential environmental, economic and social impacts of the project to help government agencies, relevant authorities, community and stakeholders make an informed decision or provide an informed submission on the merits of the project.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) – formerly Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) – is also examining potential impacts of the project for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

To read the documents submitted to DPHI as part of the project’s EIS as well as the formal submissions, visit the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal.

RIT-T process and submissions

As part of the regulatory approval process, Transgrid was required to demonstrate HumeLink’s benefits to consumers using a three-part market benefits test. This Regulatory Investment Test – Transmission (RIT-T) is the public economic cost benefit test administered by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on all projects of more than $6 million. The documents include:

Project Specification Conclusions Report (PSCR) - detailed the need to reinforce the transmission network in southern NSW to increase capacity to the state's demand centres and describes credible options to meet the need, including technical characteristics that would be required of a non-network option.

Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) - a full quantitative analysis of the proposed options and expected market benefit across a range of scenarios and sensitivities, published as supporting documents. 

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) - addresses PADR consultation responses and determines the final preferred option.

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) Addendum - this addendum has been prepared in response to the AER's dispute determination and extends the analysis presented in the HumeLink PACR published in July 2021.

Environmental approvals 

The NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EP&A Regulation) form the statutory framework for environmental assessment and planning approval in NSW.

As part of the planning approval process for HumeLink, the project is required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the Planning Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements (SEARs).

This project also requires a Commonwealth Government approval as the DCCEEW has determined it is a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Under a bilateral agreement between the State and Commonwealth, the EIS will satisfy the assessment requirement of both authorities. However, HumeLink will need environmental approval from the NSW and Commonwealth governments.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on the Environmental approvals: