Proposed Transmission Line Relocation
Status: Community Engagement
Responsible Entity: Ginninderry JV
Project Timeline
November 2024 & Ongoing
Community Consultation
December 2024 - December 2025
Environmental Approvals
December 2025 - Late 2026
Development Approval
Late 2026 - Late 2028
Construction & Demolition*
Late 2028
Estimated Project Completion*
*Subject to Business Case & Government approvals
Project Updates
6 November 2024Letter Box Drop Commenced
Project Background
What?
The Ginninderry Joint Venture is preparing to submit a Development Application to the ACT Government regarding the alignment of the Upper Tumut (Line 7) and Lower Tumut (Line 1) 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines. Ginninderry’s proposal is to:
- decommission and remove part of the Upper Tumut (Line 1) and Lower Tumut (Line 7) transmission lines;
- divert transmission lines from near the ACT/NSW border and extend southeast, crossing the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Rivers in the ACT and then connecting to existing towers at the Stockdill Substation on Stockdill Drive in Belconnen, ACT; and
- string an extension line (Line 3C) onto existing towers running between the Canberra and Stockdill Substations along the edge of the suburb of Holt. This additional line would be a continuation of the new Lower Tumut transmission line as it runs past the Stockdill Substation, continuing to the Canberra Substation.
Why?
- Increase availability of housing in the ACT, including affordable housing
- Conservation outcomes and visual amenity would be improved in the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor
- Removal of the lines near Ginninderry would improve local amenity by reducing visual impacts on residential areas
Frequently Asked Questions
- Two Transmission Lines (Lines 1 and Lines 7 being the Upper Tumut and Lower Tumut Lines) that currently run through Ginninderry are proposed to be moved, as per the drawings and visual impact report.
- A second line (Line 3C) will be strung on existing towers running from Stockdill Substation to Canberra Substation (across Pro Hart Avenue), as per the drawings and visual impact report.
- Release more land for development for a growing Capital Region, including affordable housing.
- Transmission lines are currently located in key conservation areas – the project would move the transmission lines out of the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor to improve conservation outcomes.
- Reduce visual impact for Ginninderry residents, visitors and neighbouring property owners.
- Ginninderry has been talking with Transgrid (the owner of the transmission lines) and with the Government about the opportunities to relocate transmission lines from within Ginninderry since 2014.
- The current transmission lines run along the northern edge of the Macnamara which is currently under construction. By removing the lines, Ginninderry can provide an additional 430 homes to the market – increasing housing supply to the ACT.
- Subject to planning approvals, construction timelines and feasibility, the current estimate is late-2028.
- The new lines will be constructed first, and power will be transferred to them before the old lines are removed.
- The Ginninderry Joint Venture (GJV), which is a joint venture between the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) and Riverview Developments (ACT) Pty Ltd. Riverview Projects (ACT) Pty Ltd is the development manager for the GJV.
- Funding is yet to be secured to fund the capital works, however the cost to undertake capital works required will be a cost borne by the GJV.
- The ACT Government has approved the project proceeding to the Development Application stage. The ACT Government agencies have been consulted, and feedback has been incorporated into the project proposal. They will also provide feedback as part of the standard Environmental Impact Assessment process and then the Development Application process. ACT government agencies see the overall benefits of the project.
Relocation of the transmission lines out of the Ginninderry urban footprint will unlock land for approximately 430 additional homes. These homes would be located within the current transmission line easements. Any new housing would be subject to further development applications and further community consultation.