I fully support the Hunter transmission project

I object to this project and the processes to which it has been undertaken. There is a distinct lack of community consultation AND sorely lacking consultation with impacted land-holders.
I object to the proposed widening of roads and land-clearing, i object to not re-using or re-purposing existing access roads, and I wholeheartedly object to the impact on our environment, the local flora and fauna.

Hunter Valley Gliding Club (HVGC) objects to this project on the grounds that the consultation process has not been fairly conducted, the Aviation Impact Assessment (AIA) misrepresents the Hunter Valley Gliding Club's operations, and the AIA is not an independent and objective assessment of the impact of the project on the safety of aviation at Warkworth Airfield. The attached document details our position.

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: Formal Objection to EnergyCo Transmission Project

I write to object to EnergyCo’s proposed transmission project. The impacts on our community, environment, and safety are severe, unnecessary, and inconsistent with NSW planning and environmental obligations.

Existing Infrastructure Ignored

EnergyCo has refused to consider upgrading the existing northern transmission corridor, despite this being a feasible alternative that would significantly reduce environmental and social impacts. Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (EP&A Act, s.5.5), proponents must demonstrate that all reasonable alternatives have been considered. EnergyCo has failed to do so.

Human Impact and Community Disruption

Residents — including elderly and vulnerable landholders — have been subjected to intimidation, trespass, and unfair compensation offers. This disregards the principles of fair treatment under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW).

Traffic impacts have been grossly underestimated. Nearly 1,000 heavy vehicle trips per day through towns such as Millfield for over a year would breach acceptable thresholds under local traffic and noise provisions, undermining community safety and residents’ right to quiet enjoyment of their properties.

Environmental and Biodiversity Impacts

The proposal will clear extensive areas of native bushland that provide habitat for threatened flora and fauna species, including those listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999.

Species of concern in this region include, but are not limited to:

Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)

Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

Various threatened orchid species and native understory flora


EnergyCo’s reliance on biodiversity offsets is inadequate and inconsistent with the “like-for-like” offset rules under Part 6 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW). Numerous studies — including findings cited by the NSW Audit Office — show that offsets often fail to achieve genuine ecological outcomes. The only effective way to protect these threatened species and their habitats is to avoid clearing bushland altogether.

Fire Risks Ignored

EnergyCo has failed to properly assess the project’s impact on bushfire resilience. High-voltage lines will obstruct dams used by firefighting helicopters, restrict ground crew access, and pose ignition risks in high-wind events. Under the Rural Fires Act 1997 (NSW, s.63), developers must not increase fire danger to communities. This project, as designed, will do exactly that. No mitigation or funding has been committed to strengthen firefighting capacity.

Conclusion

This project breaches NSW obligations for biodiversity conservation, fair acquisition, and fire safety. It ignores feasible alternatives, threatens legally protected flora and fauna, and imposes unacceptable burdens on rural communities.

For these reasons, I strongly object to the project in its current form and urge decision-makers to reject it. EnergyCo should be required to utilise the existing northern corridor, consistent with the principles of least environmental harm, biodiversity protection, and community safety.

Referring to the current AIA the basic risk assessment for flying operations at the airfield post the installation or the transmission lines is inadequate and poses an unacceptable risk to pilots operating out of the HVGC site.
The risk assessment should be reviewed and mitigation strategies implemented to manage the hazard.
This has NOT been done.

To Whom It May Concern,

As a Hunter Valley resident, I wish to formally object to the proposed Hunter Transmission Project (HTP). The Environmental Impact Statement confirms what our community has feared – this project will cause irreversible harm to our environment, threaten our safety, and diminish our quality of life.

As a long-term Hunter Valley resident, I am appalled at the proposal to run high-voltage transmission lines from the Upper Hunter to Sydney through our community. While the project is dressed up as "essential infrastructure," the reality is that the impacts on our environment, community safety, and health are devastating and cannot be justified.

Environmental Destruction
The Hunter Valley is one of the most biodiverse regions in NSW, home to millions of animals, birds, and reptiles – including species already listed as endangered. The construction and maintenance of an 85-metre-high tower corridor through Mount Baker, Cedar Creek, and the Corrabare Range will result in catastrophic habitat destruction.

Endangered gliders, owls, and reptiles will be displaced or killed.
Nesting sites will be destroyed.
Wildlife corridors will be permanently fragmented, making survival for many species impossible.
The sheer scale of clearing and blasting in bushland cannot be brushed aside with “offset” claims in a technical appendix. Once this land is destroyed, it is destroyed forever.

Traffic and Safety Impacts
The EIS proposes up to 850–1,000 vehicles per day on Wollombi and Mount View Roads during construction. These are narrow, winding country roads with no footpaths. Our children walk, ride bikes, and wait for school buses on these roads daily. Heavy construction vehicles and semi-trailers are completely incompatible with the safety of local families.

The risk of accidents, including with children, is unacceptable.
Road degradation will make conditions dangerous even outside peak construction periods.
Residents face years of noise, dust, and delays simply trying to leave their homes.

Health Impacts of High Voltage Lines
Mounting research highlights the potential health impacts of living near high-voltage transmission lines, including increased risks of certain cancers, neurological effects, and other long-term health concerns. To deliberately route such infrastructure through residential and sensitive rural communities is irresponsible and dismissive of public health.

Visual and Social Impact
The towers, at 85 metres high, will dominate the skyline. The visual impact assessment admits most local properties are classed as “sensitive locations.” Our quality of life, property values, and rural character will be irreparably diminished. Once these towers are in place, there is no undoing them.

This project sacrifices the Hunter Valley’s environment, community safety, and health for the sake of pushing power to Sydney as cheaply as possible. The costs borne by our community and ecosystems are far too high.

I strongly oppose the HTP proposal and urge the Minister, Department of Planning, and EnergyCo to reconsider this destructive route.

Regards,
Allison Murray

The proposed power lines, are going to be near an an active AIRFIELD, any obstructions to an airfield pose a serious risk to life and aircraft. The Hunter Valley Gliding Club host an annual Vintage Gliders Australia regatta, with lower performance aircraft being flown. Your proposed power lines will impede, and create a hazard for all aircraft, and especially the lower performance aircraft. The regatta is of considerable benefit for the local community, and surrounding districts. Thankyou for your consideration. John Marshall. President, Vintage Gliders Australia.

Reference the Hunter Transmission Project and the proposed 500kV powerline near Warkworth Airfield, as President of the NSW Gliding Association I’d like to impression upon the NSW Governement the relevance of the Hunter Valley Gliding Club (HVGC) and their airfield at Warkworth.

HVGC is one of the larger and more important clubs within NSW, it’s of particular importance to the NSW gliding community for the following reasons:
• Warkworth is in a central location for gliding clubs across NSW;
• HVGC, being centrally located, hosts numerous NSW Gliding Association activities held for the collective benefit of the NSW gliding community, including Instructor Courses, Junior Development events and Maintenance and Safety events – to which the NSW Government Office of Sport provides grants;
• HVGC has a gliding scholarship program for youth in the Hunter region – a program which encourages young people to be active in sport and to pursue careers in the aviation industry, including the aviation industry at Williamtown;
• HVGC is located close to RAAF Base Williamtown and is a contributor to the broader defence aviation community that exists within the Hunter region;
• HVGC hosts an annual vintage gliding regatta which brings scores of gliding members from across the east coast of Australia to the Singleton District for a 9-day period every easter; and
• The events at HVGC brings income to the Singleton District.

The proposed routing of the 500kV powerline near Warkworth Airfield poses significant risks to the safety and viability of HVGC’s operations. High-voltage transmission lines in proximity to airfields create potential hazards for launching and landing gliders, and may restrict vital airspace needed for safe flight operations. It is essential that the planning process fully considers the operational requirements of HVGC and the safety implications for club members, visiting pilots and their contributions to the Singleton and Hunter region community and industry.