Major transmission projects are providing unprecedented opportunities to perpetually preserve biodiversity on large swathes of land as Transgrid steps up its efforts to protect native flora and fauna across New South Wales.
Transgrid is establishing one of the biggest Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements in New South Wales history, protecting valuable habitat and one of Australia’s most endangered birds across a vast property as part of the nation’s largest electricity transmission project.
It comes as the transmission infrastructure leader updates its Biodiversity Strategy to ensure a co-ordinated approach across its projects to minimising ecological impacts.
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“Transgrid is leading the transition to a clean energy future, and this gives us the opportunity to be at the forefront of preserving NSW’s valuable biodiversity,” Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said.
“We are committed to making a positive contribution to our social licence and leaving a lasting legacy in communities where we operate.”
Transgrid is finalising a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement (BSA) on an 8,700ha property in southwestern NSW, ensuring the protection of five threatened species of flora and fauna including the critically endangered Plains-wanderer, as well as a threatened ecological community of Weeping Myall.
The property has a unique mix of native grasslands and red clay habitats occupied by a significant population of Plains-wanderer birds. It also adjoins a national park, significantly increasing the conservation area.
The NSW Government has also approved the company’s first BSA on a 6,600ha property called Big Bend at Rufus near the NSW-Victoria border. This will result in the protection of four threatened species of flora including the largest population of the critically endangered Desert Hopbush.
“These key sites have been extensively studied by the experts and management plans are being put in place to protect and enhance significant species and their habitats in perpetuity,” Redman said.
Transgrid has also signed memorandums of understanding with the owners of another three sites totalling 6,800ha in south-west NSW to investigate additional BSAs.
The BSAs will offset the biodiversity impact of most of Transgrid’s $1.8 billion EnergyConnect interconnector—the nation’s largest transmission project—from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian border.
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Transgrid is also calling for expressions of interest from landowners for potential BSAs as part of its HumeLink project which will connect Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle.
“We are inviting landowners to partner with us on this important journey,” Redman said.
Transgrid is legally required to avoid and minimise biodiversity impacts during major transmission project lifecycles, including route selection, concept design, environmental assessment, construction and operation.
