EIS 31 AA050937 Electricity Transmission Line From

EIS 31

AA050937

Electricity transmission line from Bayswater Power Station to

Mount Piper Power Station : environmental impact statement.

The Electricity Commission of New South Wales

Llcctiicit TIAmmINOR URC flo~ E3MsMtcl vouicf fWiOR to MOM Fircl FO~C[ IWiOR

Environmental Impact Statement S

Jl4(J 1981

NoJ...... RJTiLE AD ZIRCON DEVELOPMENT ElS LU Sbtsion to the roittee of Frin f~l i rv iitri finr1 Ef.at

I FT, THE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINE FROM BAYSWATER POWER STATION TO MOIThTT PIPER POWER STATION

I, Campbell George Cromarty, of T & G Tower, Park and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney hereby certify that I have prepared this Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with clauses 57 and 58 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980.

[I -

Sigciature

Date ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TRANSMISSION LINE BETWEEN BAYSWATER POWER STATION AND MOUNT PIPER POWER STATION

INDEX Page No.

A. SYNOPSIS B. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES C. EXISTING SYSTEM, ITS LIMITATIONS AND PROPOSED AUGMENTATIONS 5

C.1 Present Electricity Supply Situation 5 C.2 Need to Augment the System 5 C.3 Method of Achieving Requirements 6 C.L Consequences of Taking No Action 7 C.5 Timing of Requirements 7 C.6 Construction Programme 8

D. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT 10

D.1 Introduction 10 D.2 Constraints 11

E. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES EXPJ1INED 19

E.1 Introduction 19 E.2 Western Route 20 E.3 Mid—Western Route 23 E.4 Goulburn Valley Route 214 E.5 Central Route 26 E.6 Other Possible Routes 27 E.7 Summary 29 E.8 Preference 31

F. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF PREFERRED ROUTE 33 G. ASSOCIATED WORKS 142

G.1 Bayswater Power Station Switchyard 42 G.2 Mount Piper Power Station Switchyard 142 G.3 Wallerawang Power Station Switchyard 143 G.14 Develoçinent of 500 kV System 143

SUMMARY 145 APPENDICES 146

1.1 Principles of Design 146 1.1.1 Physical Description of Transmission Line 46 1.1.2 Environmental Considerations 514 1.1.3 Environmental Safeguards 59 1.2 Use of Underground Cables 63 1.3 Authorities Consulted 66 1.11 Use of Corridors for Transmission Lines 69 1.5 Features of 500 kV Transmission 72 1.6 Illustrative Material 714 A. SYNOPSIS

Since the inception of the Electricity Commission the demand for electric power has been steadily increasing and there is no reason to expect any change from this increasing demand in the foreseeable future.

To meet this demand there has been an ongoing progranne of construction of new power stations - Vales Point, Munmorah, Liddell and extensions to Wallerawarig and Vales Point. As demand continues to grow so the provision of additional generating capacity is necessary.

At present Eraring Power Station, having a planned capacity of 26140 megawatts, is under construction. Associated with Eraring Power Station is the need to construct a 500 kV transmission line from that power station to a new substation at Kemps Creek to the west of Sydney. This work is well underway. These current projects were the subject of separate environmental impact statements.

A separate environmental impact statement has been issued for a new power station at Mount Piper (near Wallerawang) which is planned to generate some 1320 megawatts. This impact statement also considered the environmental effect of the associated 500 kV transmission line to the Marulan area.

Already under construction is a new 26140 megawatt power station at Bayswater (near Liddell) which was also the subject of an environmental impact statement. This present impact statement deals with the associated 500 kV transmission line required to carry the bulk of the power generated towards the south from the power station. it is now planned that this line terminate at Mount Piper Power Station.

The procedure involved in obtaining a transmission line route to the detail of tower location involves in the first place a determination of the constraints to the location of the line in the broad area of possible line location. A number of potential routes is examined and the preferred route is that which is least affected by the constraints. Within the concept of this preferred route a more detailed examination is made using such techniques as aerial photography, flying the route and detailed ground inspection of the route. Using large scale maps a proposed route is located and comments sought from various Government Departments. Upon receipt of these comments some modifications may be made to the route.

At the present time this is the stage that has been reached. Four routes, discussed in this Statement, have been considered and a preferred route selected. Detailed ground survey has not been completed nor have detailed negotiations been entered into with the property owners throughout the proposed route. Due to the relatively short lead times involved some contact has been made with property owners along the preferred route in anticipation of the result of this environmental assessment. If a route other than the preferred is indicated clearly this attempt to save time will have been in vain but in the event that the preferred route is agreed to considerable savings in time will result. The Commission's action in this regard is not an attempt to influence the result. It is expected that within the concept of the route, i.e. allowing for minor deviations required by property owners and the existence of developments of various kinds both present and future, a transmission line alignment and tower siting could be made to achieve a satisfactory line.

It is considered to be in the public interest to issue an environmental impact statement at the present stage so that public comment can be obtained and considered before survey is completed and the line marked on the ground.

Accordingly, the enclosed map, Bayswater-Mount Piper 500 kV Transmission Line-Alternative Routes, shows the main alternative routes considered for the proposed new line. A second enclosed map, Bayswater-Mount Piper 500 kV Transmission Line-Preferred Route, has been prepared showing the area under detailed consideration for the location of the line. The preferred alignment of the transmission line is shown within this area on a more detailed black and white map. It must be remembered that the precise line location and tower positions have not yet been fixed on the

2. ground. The area of likely location is therefore shown as a band to allow for some freedom to take account of local constraints such as fence-lines, outhouses, buildings, shade trees, local ground conditions, property owner requests and other details which will be taken into account during the detailed location of the line.

The actual line easement required is nominally 70 metres and once this easement is finally located it will be the only area required for the transmission line apart from access tracks to it. The area shown on the accompanying map is accordingly grossly in excess of the final requirements but it indicates the degree of certainty with which the final line alignment can be located at this stage.

10 With a line of this magnitude the provision of a large number of changes in direction increases the cost of construction because of the need to use heavy tension towers at angle positions. Frequent use of the heavier tension towers detracts from the general appearance of a transmission line and the best result is obtained by maximising straight line runs.

The line will be of 500 kV double circuit configuration. Four alternative routes for the line were considered. The preferred route has a length of approximately 225 km running between Bayswater and Mount Piper Power Stations and passing north and west of Wollemi National Park.

3. B. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

In order to transmit the additional power to be provided by the proposed Bayswater Power Station to the load centres at Sydney and in the south of the State it is necessary to construct additional transmission capacity south from the Bayswater Power Station.

24, C. EXISTING SYSTEM, ITS LIMITATIONS AND PROPOSED AUGMENTATIONS

C.1 Present Electricity Supply System

The present 330 kV electricity supply system is illustrated on Figure 3. The main function of this system is to transmit large quantities of electric power from major power stations, located predominantly to the north and west of Sydney, to the major centres of load at Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra. The system must also carry the output from the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme in the southern area of the state, northwards to the load centres. Because of the restricted nature of this source of power, which depends on stored water, it is reserved in the main for use at or near times of peak demand of the system as a whole rather than as a constant energy source or major source of supply to one area of the state alone. Smaller load centres at Tamworth, Arrnidale, Wagga, Albury and Yass also receive supply directly from the 330 kV system.

C.2 Need to Augment the System

To meet anticipated load growth throughout the state the Electricity Commission is continuously involved in a programme of power station investigation, design and construction. Following the expected completion of the Eraring Power Station in 1984 it is now planned to commission the four units of the new Bayswater Power Station sequentially in 1985 and 1986. It is further planned to commission both units of the new Mount Piper Power Station in 1987. Environmental Impact Statements have been prepared for each of these projects.

A need to augment the transmission system between Bayswater Power Station and the major load centres before installation of the third and fourth units at Bayswater Power Station was foreshadowed in the Environmental Impact Statement for that power station.

The existing system, as shown on Figure 3, will be just adequate to reli- ably carry the output of the first two generators at Bayswater by looping the existing line between Liddell Power Station and Sydney into Bayswater.

672 However, augmentation will be required to carry the additional output of the third and fourth units there. It is not practicable to increase the capacity of existing transmission lines by, for example, reconstructing one or more for 500 kV operation because there is at present insufficient capacity to allow one 330 kV line from the Liddell/Bayswater area to be removed from service for the 30 months required for such reconstruction. Hence an additional line will be required from Bayswater to carry the increased output. It is considered that this new line should be of 500 kV construction in order to maximise the power transfer capacity of the necessary transmission line easement because of possible future developments in this rich coal-bearing area and similar areas to the north and west.

C.3 Method of Achieving Requirements

Two alternative schemes have been examined for increasing transmission capacity from Bayswater Power Station before installation there of the 3rd unit.

One scheme is based on construction of a double circuit 500 kV line from Bayswater Power Station to connect near Eraring with the 500 kV line that is under construction between Eraring Power Station and Sydney (Kemps Creek Substation). Due to the additional power that would then over flor the existing 330 kV lines from Vales Pt and Munmorah Power Stations to Sydney, it would also be necessary to have previously removed one of these 330 kV lines from service, together with a section of 330 kV line from Eraring to near Vales Pt and have re-constructed these lines as a 500 kV double circuit line from Eraring to Sydney. Other re-construction work would be required in the Sydney area as a further part of this scheme.

The other scheme is based on constructing a link between Bayswater and Mt Piper Power Stations and using the Mt Piper to Marulan line to increase transmission capacity from both Bayswater and Mt Piper to major load centres.

Both links would be formed with double-circuit 500 kV lines.

101 Both schemes were seen as being necessary at some future time and only the selection of the first scheme to be developed had to be decided. The scheme linking Bayswater to Mount Piper had an advantage in increasing, at an earlier date, the capacity of the system to supply industrial load development south of Sydney. Should a cataclysmic incident damage major installations marshalling the existing high capacity transmission links to Sydney this scheme, which provides for such a link from the south, physically separate from existing routes, had a clear stategie advantage. It also made more time available for carrying out re-construction of an existing 330 kV line between Eraring and Sydney without unduly lowering system reliability.

The Mt Piper to Marulan 500 kV line is programmed to be put into service one year later than the proposed Bayswater - Mt Piper 500 kV line. During that year power will be transmitted from Bayswater via Mt Piper to Sydney over the Wallerawang - Sydney 330 kV line within the capacity of that line. At the same time the Bayswater to Mt Piper line will serve as a back-up against failure of the line to Sydney raising the security of transmission from Wallerawang Power Station.

C.Lt Consequences of Taking No Action

If no action is taken to augment transmission capacity from the Liddell/ Bayswater area towards the major load centres of the State, the limitations of the existing transmission system will prevent the effective use of the third and fourth units planned for the new Bayswater Power Station and probably result in insufficient power being available to meet the demands of the Electricity Commission's customers.

C.5 Timing of Reciuirements

The third unit at Bayswater Power Station is expected to be placed in service in February, 1986 and the new line is required to be completed before that date - preferably by August, 1985.

7. C.6 Construction Programme

While the details of any construction programme rest with the Contrac- tor(s) selected, it is reasonable to expect that the work will be carried out generally in accordance within the following typical construction programme. Because of the length of line construction involved two Contractors may be employed on the work, each working on different sections of the line.

TyDical Construction Programme for Each Contractor

Est. No. Number of Months from Start of Construction

of - Men 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 ------

Clearing 12 I ------I I------I and Access

Found ations 18 I ------I

Tower 30 I ------I Erection

Stringing 40 I ------I

------

Desired Commencement Date: August, 1982 Desired Completion Date: August, 1985

RIM It is estimated that 15,000 tonnes of tower steelwork will be required for this project and this will probably be delivered to the tower sites from Sydney, where the steel is expected to be fabricated, over a period of 12 months. Approximately 5,1400 km of main conductor will be required and this will be delivered by the suppliers from Port Kembla or Victoria on an estimated 1,800 drums over a period of 18 months. The transport of this material to the stringing stations is estimated to involve an average movement of 3-4 trucks per working day. D. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

D.1 Introduction

Mount Piper Power Station is about 10 kilometres south west of Bayswater Power Station. A rectangular area of about 125 kilometres by 100 kilometres containing the power stations has been investigated to determine feasible alternative routes for the proposed line to link them. This is the general area which has been examined to determine const,raints to the selection of routes and is shown on Figure 1.

The country between Bayswater and Mount Piper is dominated by the rugged beauty of Wollemi National Park. This park occupies much of the area and comprises generally well-timbered hilly to precipitous country with narrow gorges, a number of watercourses and few access tracks. The well- cultivated fertile ribbon of the Goulburn Valley marks the northern boun- dary of the park but the rugged country regains prominence for about 15 kilometres north of this valley before once again yielding to developed undulating farmlands.

The renowned Hunter Valley lies to the east of the park with the land being used for a variety of agricultural pursuits. Grazing of sheep and cattle are among the rural activities carried out along the western part of the area considered. In general, areas outside of the national park are reasonably well served by access roads and tracks. Plant growth varies from heavily timbered natural forests and grasslands to improved pastures, orchards, vineyards, pine forests and vegetation associated with agricultural pursuits. Collieries and quarries dominate particular loca- lities and large reserves of coal are thought to underlie certain sections of the area studied. Large scale mining of coal is underway or firmly planned in areas around Muswellbrook, Ulan and Portland.

The area is traversed by many important watercourses including the Goul- burn, Cola and Hunter rivers which flow to the east and the Turon and Cudgegong rivers which flow to the west.

10. There are several constraints present in the area examined which will determine firstly the feasibility of the proposed routes and secondly their environmental impact.

D.2 Constraints

When considering a development project of this nature, there are numerous locations and developments within which or near which it would be undesirable in varying degrees to locate the proposed transmission line.

These include:

Urban areas National Parks Airports Scientific Establishments State Forests Nature Reserves State Reservation Areas Catchment Areas Railway Lines Highways and Major Roads Rivers and Creeks Aboriginal Relics Buildings of Historic Interest • Hill Areas Mineral Resources

These constraints, the degree to which they are present in the area under consideration and the degree to which they would affect the siting of a transmission line are considered hereunder.

11. D.2.1 Urban Areas

The central part of the area considered is undeveloped. However, urban areas skirt this undeveloped core. Apart from the major centres of Lithgow and Muswellbrook, smaller centres such as Portland, Kandos, Rylstone, Merriwa and Kurrajong lie at various points around the circumference of this central area. In addition, there are several still smaller centres particularly along the Lithgow-Mudgee road.

Urban areas are avoided whenever possible when a route for a transmission line is being selected. When the line passes at a distance greater than about three kilometres from an urban centre and is so located that camouflaging techniques can be applied, it has been, found to have no visual impact on that centre.

D.2.2 National Parks

There are two national parks in the area considered - Blue Moun- tains and Wollemi. The Blue Mountains National Park occupies the southern part of that area while the Wollemi National Park runs from that park northwards for about 120 kilometres, occupying most of the central part of the area considered. It is understood that there is a firm proposal to establish a Goulburn River National Park to encompass naturally vegetated lands broadly to the north 40 and northwest of Wollemi National Park. Where suitable alternative routes are available, it is the Coninission's policy to avoid national parks.

Two areas within Wollemi National Park have been identified by Helman et al. in their publication "Wilderness in Australia" (University of New England, 1976) as wilderness areas. These areas are considered as a separate constraint in Section E.7.

12. D.2.3 Airports

There are no major airports in the region under consideration, the nearest being at Singleton, Mudgee and Bathurst. There is a landing ground at Rylstone and there are a multitude of minor airstrips and landing areas often associated with individual properties. Adequate clearance between authorised landing areas and the transmission line will be maintained to provide a safe flight path. Occasionally a minor relocation of the line route or the airfield may be necessary.

D.2.11 Scientific Establishments

The transmission line should be located at a sufficient distance from any scientific establishment (in this statement assumed to include communication installations) such that there is no significant interaction between the transmission line and the scientific establishment when both are being utilised

The only radio or TV transmitters in the area are at Muswellbrook, Mudgee, Rylstone and Lithgow and the line will be routed to ensure no interference results.

D.2.5 State Forests

The state forests which could influence the selection of a route between Bayswater Power Station and Mount Piper Power Station include:

Airly State Forest Ben Bullen State Forest Bylong State Forest Capertee State Forest Clandula State Forest Comleroy State Forest Coricudgy State Forest

13.

Dungeree State Forest Falnash State Forest Kandos State Forest Newnes State Forest Nullo Mountain State Forest Sunny Corner State Forest Turon State Forest Wolgan State Forest

It is preferred that state forests be avoided when transmission line routes are selected. This may not always be practicable in which case it is necessary to consult with the Forestry Commission to obtain an acceptable route. Some advantage may be gained by 40 using forestry roads as access tracks thereby reducing the need to construct new access tracks. On the other hand the location of a line through a forest would reduce the available area for affo- restation and may involve premature harvesting of timber resources. In some areas the transmission line easement can assist in forest management by providing a fire break.

D.2.6 Nature Reserves

The only Nature Reserves in the area considered are Manobalai, Munghorn Gap and Winburndale. Although transmission lines are considered to have minimal effect on such reserves due to the small amount of land they utilise, these would normally be avoided if practicable alternative routes were available.

D.2.7 State Recreation Areas

There are no State Recreation Areas within the boundaries of the area considered. D.2..8 Catchment Areas

All streams in the area carry water which flows into either a special area for water storage, such as the Cudgegong River into Burrendong Dam, or a major river which is a source of water supply to communities living down-stream. Accordingly all work related to the transmission line must be carried out in such a manner that the quality of water is preserved.

In nominated catchment areas such as the Burrendong Catchment Area the local water supply authority will be consulted regarding line location. Past experience shows that carefully located lines are acceptable in catchment areas.

Little impact is anticipated on the proposed Kerrabee Dam catchment. The line is expected to be in service and appropriate restorative work carried out before the completion of the dam. While the Coninission discourages unauthorised use of its access tracks some additional intrusion is possible. However considerably greater opportunities for access to the dam and its catchment are likely to occur on its upper reaches where the land is largely already cleared. Impact on the future Windemere Dam is also expected to be slight. Water Resources Commission will be consulted where applicable in respect of all work in catchment areas under its control.

D.2.9 Railway Lines

The Wallerawang-Gwabegar railway line, the Merriwa-Sandy Hollow- Muswellbrook railway line and the new Ulan-Sandy Hollow railway line are all in the area considered. The transmission line will be designed to provide adequate safety at all necessary railway crossings and will be constructed at the times of day which will cause little inconvenience to the State Rail Authority or the general public. Should the proposed transmission line and the railway line run parallel and in close proximity to each other for some kilometres special precautions are necessary to avoid the

15. possibility of difficulties with the Authority's signalling facilities. The parallel location of transmission and railway lines is generally undesirable for this reason. In the case of lines used for passenger traffic such parallel location is also undesirable because railway passengers would be subjected to an intrusion of the transmission line into their field of view.

D.2.10 Highways and Major Roads

Major roads in the area considered include the Great Western Highway, the New England Highway and the Lithgow-Mudgee road.

If transmission lines are built close and parallel to roads they are readily visible to the travelling public and special care in their location is necessary to reduce their visibility. Similarly road crossings require special attention to reduce the visibility of the transmission line.

Since the impact is purely visual, the greater the traffic density the greater the potential impact and hence the greater care required in design and construction of exposed sections of line.

D.2.11 Rivers and Creeks

It is common for waterways to be areas used for leisure activities with the banks and foreshores providing areas for parks and picnic grounds. Any crossing of a river requires special consideration to retain visual amenity. For example, where possible, it is desirable that any crossing be at a location where there is high ground either side of the waterway so that good conductor clearance above the water is achieved without unduly tall towers. In locations such as the proposed crossing of the Hunter River where high ground is not available careful selection of tower sites will be necessary to minimise visual impact. Trees and foliage along river banks are usually not interferred with and towers are placed to avoid obstructing flow of flood water. River systems in the area include the Hunter, the Goulburn, the Cob, the Merriwa and the Turon. 16. D.2.12 Aboriginal Relics

The country through which the line will pass was once populated by the aborigines and no doubt there are areas where evidence of such population remains. If requested by National Parks and Wildlife Service an archaeological survey will be commissioned along the preferred route to ensure that wherever possible aboriginal relics are preserved.

D.2.13 Historic Buildings

Having regard to the generally undeveloped nature of the countryside with consequently a reasonably large degree of freedom of 40 choice for the location of the proposed transmission line through most of its length, it is considered essential that buildings of historic interest not be disturbed by construction of the line. The existence of several historic homesteads in the western part of the area considered and in the Upper Hunter Valley has been noted.

D.2.14 Hill Areas

Hilly country provides no real difficulty to transmission line construction provided that side slopes are not excessive. Very steep side slopes can lead to access difficulties and potential erosion problems. Generally speaking hilly country affords the opportunity to apply camouflage or concealment techniques with a high degree of effectiveness.

D.2.15 Mineral Resources

Much of the area considered contains significant deposits of coal and other minerals. Extensive deposits are currently being worked in the areas around Muswellbrook, Ulan and Portland and indica- tions are that this activity will accelerate in the future. Other

17. industries such as cement making are significant developers of natural resources in particular parts of the area. Transmission lines do not permanently alienate mineral resources since they can be moved when the time comes for the resource to be developed. Nevertheless where possible, transmission lines are placed to avoid known deposits of resources which are likely to be developed in the foreseeable future. Restrictions must be placed on mining beneath transmission lines, however, to prevent damage to these lines while in place and interruptions to electricity supply which may result from such damage.

The Joint Coal Board has indicated that the area to the north and west of the Bayswater Power Station contains one of the richest coal deposits in Australia. These deposits will allow efficient open-cut mining and the Board strongly opposes the construction of a major transmission line over these resources, even having regard to possible re-routing of the lines when necessary, because of the additional difficulty this would present to the planning of coal extraction. Routes have been selected for the proposed line in conjunction with lease holders in the area and with relevant authorities with the view to minimising impact on these resources consistent with other constraints encountered.

ON E. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES EXAMINED

E.1 Introduction

As explained earlier, the area examined to determine feasible alternative routes for the proposed transmission line from Bayswater Power Station to Mount Piper approximates a rectangle with the termination points of the line diagonally opposite. To look substantially beyond this area for feasible routes would involve a considerably longer line and, it is considered, no compensatory environmental benefit.

A study of topographic maps shows one feasible route from Bayswater across the top of the rectangular area considered, on the northern fringes of rugged, undeveloped country and passing about midway between Merriwa and the Goulburn Valley. This route continues to the south passing to the east of Wollar and to the west of Rylstone, Kandos and Cullen Bullen. This route has been called the Western Route.

An alternative to this route diverges from it north of the Goulburn River and proceeds in a southerly direction west of Bylong and to the east of Kandos and Cullen Bullen. This route has been called the Mid-Western Route.

The Goulburn Valley appears to offer a route. The line would leave Bayswater Power Station, following the line of the Western Route before entering the Goulburn Valley. This route, the Goulburn Valley Route, joins the Mid-Western Route near Bylong.

Very rugged country dominates the area south of the Goulburn Valley. However, this fact alone does not render a route infeasible. The availability of existing access tracks makes one particular route across this rugged country appear relatively attractive. This route, the Central Route, approximately parallels an existing 330 kV line south from Bayswater Power Station to a point south of Doyles Clearing then proceeds in a general south-westerly direction to join the Mid-Western Route north of Glenowlan Mountain and hence proceeds to Mount Piper Power Station.

19. Lack of such a network of established access tracks makes alternative routes through similar country further south than this more difficult and with no apparent compensatory environmental benefit.

There are then four conceptual routes initially considered, the Western, the Mid-Western, the Goulburn Valley and the Central, and these are each discussed below and illustrated on the enclosed coloured constraint maps.

E.2 Western Route

This route leaves Bayswater Power Station in a general westerly then north westerly direction and passes through largely cleared, undulating country to the Hunter River west of Roxburgh. The route passes to the south of Mount Arthur. Particular care would be taken with the important crossing of the Hunter River to reduce visual impact of the line, to avoid flood prone areas where possible and to prevent erosion. The area traversed is rich in easily accessible coal resources and consultation with Joint Coal Board would be necessary to determine the best possible alignment for the line. The route crosses the Muswellbrook-Merriwa railway line and turns more to the west crossing Wybong Creek south of Wybong and climbing rapid- ly from the cleared, valley country to more rugged hills. An extremity of the Manobalai Nature Reserve would be crossed by this route but the effect is expected to be minor.

While in the cleared country the line would be visible regardless of camouflaging technique due to the geography of the area. However, by siting the line away from population centres and by crossing roads, the railway line and the river at effective right angles the impact would be reduced to acceptable levels.

For most of the remainder of its westward passage this route traverses the fringes of rugged, well-timbered country where the impact of the line would be slight. Care would be taken with the crossings of numerous watercourses including the Merriwa and Bow Rivers. The Muswellbrook- Merriwa railway line would again be crossed north of Gungal.

20. The National Parks and Wildlife Service have expressed an interest in considerable areas of naturally vegetated lands to the north of Wollemi National Park for possible reservation as a future National Park. Until the Bow River is crossed this route largely skirts the northern edge of these areas. However the last 7 km of this section of route to the Mount Misery area does traverse such areas. It is not considered feasible to deviate the route to avoid all these areas of interest. The route proposed here appears to be the most satisfactory compromise and the Service would be further consulted on final line alignment.

No State Forests, State Recreation Areas or established National Parks are effected by the route to this point. The route does not pass close to urban areas nor major highways or railways. The early sections of the route are in fairly open, cleared country where the line would be visible from several secondary roads and individual farms. The latter sections of this part of the route allow more effective concealment of the line as it passes through more rugged country. A number of watercourses are crossed with only the Hunter River crossing likely to have significant visual impact due to the geography of the surrounding country. Additional care will be taken with this crossing.

The Western Route continues from north of Mount Misery and travels in a generally south westerly direction to a point east of Botobolar and thence in a generally southern direction to Mount Piper Power Station. Most of the route is through undulating country with tree cover varying from scattered to fairly heavy. Short sections at the start of the route, near Cooyal, Box Hill, Round Mountain, Running Stream and Jews Mountain are more rugged.

The route runs roughly parallel to the proposed railway between Ulan and Sandy Hollow for about 5 kilometres but precautions would be taken to ensure no adverse effect on the State Rail Authority's system. This railway is crossed three times and no crossing is expected to have a significant impact. The Gwabegar-Wallerawang railway line is crossed twice, near Lue and near Cullen Bullen, and care would be taken to reduce the environmental impact of these crossings.

21. The only major road which is crossed is that from Lithgow to Mudgee. This crossing is in the vicinity of Running Stream and the topography of that area would assist in reducing visual impact of the line on road travellers. Several minor roads are traversed and established techniques would allow satisfactory crossings to be made. The route would be barely visible from Wollar, Rylstone and Kandos, each of which would be about 5 kilometres from the route. The route would pass closer to the villages of Cullen Bullen, Clandulla and Lue but established camouflaging techniques would ensure a satisfactorily small environmental impact. No other sizeable population centres would be effected.

Numerous watercourses including the Goulburn, Cudgegong and Turon Rivers are crossed by this section of route and care would be taken to ensure no damage and minimum environmental impact results.

No established National Parks or State Recreation Areas are effected by the route. However, Dungeree State Forest is clipped and negotiations with the Forestry Commission will ensure a satisfactory alignment. The National Parks and Wildlife Service have expressed an interest in several areas of naturally vegetated lands traversed by this section of route. These areas are such lands north of the Goulburn river crossing, the Munghorn Gap - Wollar Creek area and an area south of Capertee. Devia- tions to the route to avoid these areas of interest have been investigated and found to offer no clear environmental advantage. These points are taken up in Section F of this Statement.

The Western Route has moderate impact on Coal Resources and low impact on other constraints and is considered to be environmentally satisfactory. The need to build across a considerable section of coal bearing land may make recovery of these resources more difficult.. The total length of this route is 225 kilometres.

22. E.3 Mid-Western Route

This route follows the same alignment from Bayswater as the Western Route. It leaves the Western Route north of Mount Misery and proceeds in a generally southerly direction to Mount Piper Power Station. The route passes through largely undulating country with varied degrees of timber. Fairly rugged areas occur near the beginning of the route in the vicinity of Growee Mountain, Wheelbarrow Mountain, Mount Conourury and areas towards the end of the route. Reasonably good access is available to the greater part of its length.

The Goulburn River is crossed near Mount Misery and the upper reaches of a number of other watercourses including the Cudgegong River are crossed at later stages of the route. None of these crossings presents environmental problems which could not be overcome by application of standard techniques of careful construction. The proposed IJian-Sandy Hollow railway line is crossed, effectively at right angles near Mount Misery. This style of crossing would minimise the environmental impact of the transmission line on rail travellers although this railway line is expected to carry mainly coal. The only major road crossed by this route is the Lithgow-Mudgee road which is crossed, effectively at right angles, south of Cullen Bull- en. Several minor roads are also crossed but traffic on these roads is relatively light.

The villages of Bylong, Capertee and Cullen Bullen are very largely screened from this route while Wollar, Ryistone and Kandos are not expected to be effected. The impact on Portland would be slight. Where appropriate, camouflaging methods would be used to reduce visual impact.

This route skirts the western fringe of Wollemi National park but does not intrude into the park. No State Recreation Areas are effected. The route does traverse Capertee State Forest and Ben Bullen State Forest. A deviation to the west to avoid the Capertee Forest would carry the route close to both the road and railway line to Mudgee and would have caused greater environmental impact through greater visibility. A deviation to the east

23. would force the route into much more rugged country with greater difficulties of access. The size and location of Ben Bullen State Forest renders any attempt to deviate the route around it infeasible. Negotiations would be held with the Forestry Commission to determine the most satisfactory alignment of the route through these areas.

Pearson's Lookout would be about 5 km from this route and camouflaging techniques would be applied to reduce the visual impact. National Parks and Wildlife Service have expressed an interest in several areas of naturally vegetated lands traversed by this route. These areas include such lands north of the Goulburn River and those to the north, east and south of Capertee. The nature of the country in these areas is such that deviation of the route to avoid such areas of interest is not considered feasible but should this route be selected further consultations would be held with the Service and other interested bodies to determine the most satisfactory alignment for the line.

Access to most of this section of route would be reasonably easy from existing roads and tracks.

The Mid-Western Route has moderate impact on State Forests and coal resources but low impact on other constraints. It is considered to be environmentally satisfactory.

The total length of a Bayswater to Mount Piper transmission line using the Mid-Western Route is approximately 220 kilometres.

E.4 Goulburn Valley Route

This route follows the same alignment from Bayswater Power Station as the Western Route. Largely cleared, undulating country is crossed in a general north westerly direction until the Hunter River is reached west of Roxburgh. The route passes to the south of Mount Arthur. Particular care would be taken with the important crossing of the Hunter River to reduce visual impact of the line, avoid flood prone areas where possible and to avoid erosion. The route continues through undulating country following

24. the Western Route for about 3 kilometres after the crossing of the Hunter River from which point the route passes to the west and enters the Goulburn Valley.

The Goulburn Valley is a relatively narrow twisting valley bordered particularly on the northern side by high hills. The valley has been largely cleared of timber and is intensively fanned. The country to the north and south of the valley is generally rugged and heavily timbered. The proposed Ulan-Sandy Hollow railway line, the Goulburn River and the road linking Bylong to Sandy Hollow all pass through the valley.

This route is through largely cleared land with good access. Rugged country is encountered briefly in the vicinity of Mount Kerrabee but generally relatively easy construction is anticipated. Existing roads and tracks would allow construction to proceed with minimum access work.

The route crosses the Goulburn River between Sandy Hollow and Denman and proceeds generally on the southern side of the valley. The proposed railway line too is crossed between Sandy Hollow and Denman. The line would be in view from the railway for a large part of this route. The Bylong River is crossed near Bylong as is the proposed Ulan - Sandy Hollow railway line and several minor watercourses are also crossed. The route joins the Mid-Western Route west of Bylong and follows that route to Mount Piper Station.

The route would be visible from several centres of population along its route including Baerami and Bylong. The nature of the valley's topography and that of the surrounding countryside would allow only some effective concealment of the line. Because of the narrow nature of the Valley, it would not be possible to conceal the line from all recreational areas along the river. There would still be visual impact which would be minimised by tower painting and careful placement of towers.

Consultation with the State Rail Authority would ensure that the proximity of the proposed railway line to the proposed transmission line does not cause difficulties for the Authority's system. The route avoids Bylong State Forest and no other State Forests or State Recreation Areas are affected. 25. The route would fringe Wollemi National Park at several points during its passage through the valley, but such incursions would be slight and difficult to avoid given the torturous nature of the valley and the need for the line to be as inconspicuous as possible. South of Cox's Gap tunnel about 3 kilometres of the route are within Wollemi National Park but again the geographical features of the country appear to allow no environmentally superior alternative in this area.

This route has generally low effect on constraints other than State Forests and Coal Resources where the impact is considered to be moderate. The route does, however, impinge slightly on Wollemi National Park.

The total length of a Bayswater to Mount Piper transmission line using the Goulburn Valley Route is approximately 210 kilometres. ID

E.5 Central Route

The Central Route leaves Bayswater Power Station in a general southerly direction, following the route of an existing 330 kV double circuit line to the vicinity of Doyles Clearing and then proceeding in a general southwesterly direction to join the Mid-Western Route north of Genowlan Mountain.

The first 10 kilometres of the route involve generally cleared undulating country passing close to Jerrys Plains. The route then passes into elevated, rugged country with generally heavy timber cover for all but the last 15 kilometres before its junction with the Mid-Western Route. This central rugged section is largely through Wollemi National Park and the area identified as Cob-Hunter wilderness area by Helman et al..

Several watercourses are crossed by this route and established safeguards will ensure these are environmentally satisfactory. The crossing of the Hunter River near Jerrys Plains would be very carefully designed and constructed to reduce visible impact and ensure no damage results. Areas subject to flooding would be avoided when tower sites are selected.

WON Of the routes considered, the Central Route has the lowest impact on the extensive deposits of coal in the Upper Hunter Valley and is favoured by the Joint Coal Board.

The route chosen through the rugged country of Wollemi National Park largely makes use of existing tracks and trails which would have to be upgraded to allow transport of the necessary construction materials. Following the construction phase traffic would be limited to that necessary for maintenance purposes. Some new track construction would be necessary but the route has been chosen to minimise such work. The rugged nature of the country would increase the cost of construction per kilometre of line but this route would be considerably shorter. Advantage would be taken of the rugged nature of the country to camouflage the line to the greatest possible extent. This route passes close to the village of Jerrys Plains but from there passes mainly through undeveloped land well away from centres of population growth. No major roads are effected nor are any railway lines crossed. The route passes through Coricudgy State Forest but the paucity of access tracks in the area would make the significant deviation required to avoid the forest very costly. No State Recreation Areas are effected.

This route has a generally low effect on most environmental constraints. However it has a moderate effect on State Forests and involves a major crossing of a National Park.

The total length of a Bayswater to Mount Piper transmission line using the Central Route would approximate 170 kilometres.

E.6 Other Possible Routes

There are many ways of drawing a pencil line between any two points. Unfortunately there is rarely as much freedom in the selection of feasible transmission line routes. Constraints relevant in such selection include:

- reasonable availability of existing access; - avoidance of excessively long routes; and - certain geographical features and land usage. 27. While technical considerations primarily determine the feasibility or otherwise of a particular route, clearly environmental and economic issues are also involved.

It is felt that the routes discussed are a typical representation of possible routes between Bayswater and Mount Piper Power Stations. Direct route alternatives through Wollemi National Park are severely limited due to lack of access and the route discussed is one of the few such routes which are available. Routes further to the north or west than the Western Route were briefly investigated in an attempt to avoid areas of immediate interest to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Additional constraints encountered were the extensive coal deposits stretching north-west from Ulan, the historic Gulgong area, the intensive rural development around Mudgee, several State Forests and the generally well settled nature of those parts of the area which are no longer naturally vegetated. Such a route would be considerably more visible than the Western Route and involve approximately 50 km greater length of line at an additional cost estimated at $20(m). This additional length of line is undesirable from a technical point of view. It is considered that no overall compensatory environmental benefit would result from such increase in length.

Because of the undeveloped and naturally vegetated nature of much of the country within the area considered for the line the National Parks and Wildlife Service has expressed an interest in a large proportion of it. Established National Parks stretch in an almost unbroken strip from the Goulburn Valley south towards Mittagong. Naturally vegetated areas of interest to the Service extend this strip north of the Goulburn Valley towards Merriwa, east towards Wybong and west towards Ulan, Gulgong and the established Winburndale Nature Reserve. The few "corridors" available through this large area of interest are in the main occupied by major transportation links or settled communities and as such are not normally considered as appropriate locations for major transmission lines. Accord.- ingly it is considered that there is no practical route for the proposed line which would avoid all areas of interest to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In summary, the routes discussed are considered to truly represent the most relevant feasible routes between the two power stations.

E.7 Summary

The following table outlines the estimated expected effect of the routes considered on constraints in the area between Bayswater and Mount Piper Power Stations. It is pointed out that the major impact of a transmission line is its visual intrusion into areas where it can create disharmony with its surroundings. Other impacts arise from conflicts in land use where one or more organisations have some demand or reservations on an area of land through which the line route must pass. Manmade establishments can generally be avoided but nature can provide extensive features 40 on the geography of an area and these may be unavoidable, e.g., rivers and creeks or hill areas. The estimated length and cost of each route as at January, 1981, is indicated.

It is recognised that it is difficult to create a scale of assessment of environmental impact which would be acceptable to everyone. However, in order to produce a concise summary of relative impacts of the routes considered, the following table has been constructed. The premises on which the table is based includes the following.

When assigning ratings to the effect of each route on the constraints encountered, consideration has been given to the nature of the constraint, the intrusion into the constraint and the relative impact of "environmentally treated" transmission lines compared with that which could result from lines designed, located and constructed in a less environmentally conscious manner. This leads to a seeming concentration of the impact ratings to the low-moderate range, which is considered proper to allow for higher ratings which would arise from poorly located routes with high intrusion into the constraints.

In the case of designated wilderness areas, it is considered that no suitable graduated scale is yet available to express relative impact, as any intrusion would be considered incompatible with the nature of this constraint. For the purposes of this Statement, those wilderness areas identified by Helman et al. have been included as a constraint.

29. Anticipated Environmental Effect

------CONSTRAINT ALTERNATIVE BAYSWATER—MOUNT PIPER ROUTES ------Goulburn Western Mid—Western Valley Central Route Route Route Route

Urban Areas Low Low Low Low National Parks Low Low Low Moderate wilderness Areas Nil Nil Nil Airports Low Low Low Low Scientific Estab. Low Low Low Low State Forests Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Nature Reserves Low Low Low Low State Recreation Areas Nil Nil Nil Nil Catchment Areas Low Low Low Low Railway Lines Low Low Low Low Highways and Major Roads Low Low Low Low Rivers and Creeks Low Low Moderate Low Aboriginal Relics Low Low Low Low Historic Buildings Low Low Low Low Hill Areas Low Low Low Moderate Mineral Resources Moderate Moderate Moderate Low ------Estimated Length (km) 225 220 210 170 Estimated Cost ($m) 105 109 106 90

See previous page

30. While the cost of a transmission line is important it is not the only consideration taken into account when selecting a route but rather is applied to determine which of the routes is to be preferred where environmental considerations are in balance. Massive increased costs such as under-grounding, however, may outweigh environmental considerations on the basis that the extra expenditure may be better applied elsewhere to the benefit of the environment.

The cost of transmission line construction varies according to a number of factors including the length of the line, the type of tower used, the size of conductor selected, the type of country crossed and the accessibility of the route.

In areas where steeper terrain is encountered these costs would be higher and in rugged timbered country with difficult access the costs are estimated to be up to 25% higher.

E.8 Preference

It is considered that each of the four routes discussed are feasible. The anticipated environmental effect of each route, however, is different since a variety of types of country are crossed.

The Central Route has a significant effect on Wollemi National Park, State Forests, wilderness areas and elevated hill areas. It is furthest from the development potential of the coal rich area near Ulan and is hence least well positioned to accommodate such possible future development without extensive additional transmission line construction. It is, however, the shortest and least costly alternative considered and the alternative which least affects the rich coal deposits of the Hunter Valley. Where a suitable alternative route exists, it is Commission policy to avoid National Parks. In this instance such a route is considered to be available.

31.

The Goulburn Valley Route has significant impact on State Forests, the visual amenity of the Valley and Coal Resources. It has a minor impact on Wollemi National Park, which is fringed at several points and traversed for about 3 km near Kerrabee. The route is confined for a major part of its length within the restricted Goulburn Valley and would become a major feature of that valley. Although it is the second shortest route, its net environmental impact is considered to be greater than the Western and Mid- Western Routes.

The two routes considered to have least impact on the environment are hence the Western and Mid-Western Routes. Both of these routes are well placed with respect to potential development of the coal bearing areas around Ulan. The first part of these routes follows the same line and is 40 considered to have significant impact only on Coal Resources. Manobalai Nature Reserve is fringed by these routes, but the intrusion is considered to be minor. The choice between these alternatives then rests on the relative environmental effects of their respective southerly legs. While the Western Route is slightly longer, it is preferred on the basis of the greater intrusion of the Mid-Western Route into State Forests and the greater degree of access track construction necessitated by that route's location in generally more rugged, less accessible country.

32.

F. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF PREFERRED ROUTE

The route leaves the Bayswater Power Station Switchyard in a southwesterly direction and for the first 19 km or so follows a westerly path through undulating country with some scattered timber. The proposed conveyor system associated with the Bayswater Power Station will be paralleled by several kilometres of line but precautions will be taken to ensure safety of operating personnel. Several watercourses will be crossed including Saddlers Creek and Saltwater Creek and care will be taken to avoid erosion at these crossings by appropriate selection of tower sites and access tracks. Edderton Road will be crossed effectively at right angles. The line is not expected to be visible from the New England Highway.

After passing to the north of Ogilvies Hill the preferred route turns north-west and continues in this direction for about 18 km over mainly cleared country. The Denman-Muswellbrook Road and the Hunter River are crossed near "Piercefield" and the route continues across Mangoola Road and the Muswellbrook-Merriwa Railway Line. The crossing of the Hunter River will be designed to minimise visual impact by careful selection of tower sites to avoid erosion by careful construction practices and to offer no hindrance to the flow of water in normal times or periods of flooding. Special foundations are likely to be required in this area. The advice of Water Resources Commission will be sought with respect to the crossing. Care will be taken during construction to ensure that vegetation along the river bank will not be damaged. The river in this location passes through gently undulating country where it is not possible 40 to erect towers on hills on each side of the river and accordingly the crossing will use normal height towers which cannot be readily concealed or camouflaged. The existing land use, in particular coal resources, re- stricts the crossing to the area selected. The route crosses the Sandy Hollow - Castle Rock Road and while care will be taken with tower location, the geography of the area does not permit complete concealment. Anvil Hill lies to the south.

33. Major parts of these two sections of the route are over areas rich in coal, and the actual alignment finally decided upon will take account of these resources. In any case transmission lines do not permanently alienate mineral resources but common sense indicates that, where practicable, lines should not be built over resources which are likely to be developed in the near future but rather over resources of less current concern.

A north-westerly run of 5 km followed by a south-easterly run of 3 km and a westerly run of 6 km takes the route up the Wybong Creek Valley to elevated hill country. The elevated country is generally well timbered but the valleys are mainly cleared and developed for farming purposes. The route crosses the Yarraman Road close to the Dalwood Estate Vineyard and Wybong Creek in an area where little difficulty is expected in obtaining a satisfactory location. Part of Manobalai Nature Reserve is crossed by this route. Reedy Creek and Giants Creek are crossed in the high country and appropriate care will be taken here as with tower locations for the rapid climb up the Wybong Creek Valley.

An alternative route which was considered from the Hunter Valley to the hill country involved the use of Halls Creek Valley rather than the Wybong Creek Valley. This alternative would have avoided a naturally vegetated area south-west of Manobalai which is of interest to National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Manobalai Nature Reserve. Unfortunately such a route would have had significant impact on the township of Sandy Hollow and would have been confined within a restricted valley area with the main road to Merriwa hence intruding to a significant extent into the field of view of road travellers. Accordingly this alternative has been rejected. Further discussions will be held with the Service to determine the most satisfactory alignment for the line in this area.

The next section of the route comprises some 20 km in a generally southwesterly direction through largely cleared areas at first, but for most of its length through rugged timbered country at an elevation of about 1000 metres. The Merriwa-Gungal Road and the Merriwa-Muswellbrook Railway Line are crossed, effectively at right angles, some 4 km north of Gungal. The visual effect of the line on Gungal is expected to be negligible and the

34. mode of crossing to be used will minimise visual impact to travellers. The Merriwa River is crossed north of Mortals Hole and other watercourses crossed include the upper reaches of Hawkes Creek, Vallances Creek, Woron- di Rivulet and Halls Creek. At all of these crossings there is high ground on each side of the watercourse and accordingly relatively low towers can be used while still retaining adequate clearances above the watercourse. Standard precautions will be taken at each of these crossings to ensure minimal environmental impact. Some minor access problems are anticipated in this rugged terrain but entry to tower positions will still be available along spurs or ridges. The proposed Kerrabee Dam will have a major impact on lands north of the Goulburn Valley. In particular water retained will greatly widen the Merriwa, Goulburn and Bow Rivers. Three feasible crossing points only were available over the expanded Merriwa River. The most northerly was considered to take the route too close to Merriwa. The most southerly involved an unnecessary incursion into rugged country of interest to National Parks and Wildlife Service. The crossing chosen is considered well placed on the fringes of developed and undeveloped lands. Approximately 2 km of this route passes through outcrops of lands between Vallances Creek and Worondi Rivulet understood to be included in a proposal for a Goulburn River National Park. Const- raints on route location, imposed largely by the paucity of feasible crossing points of the proposed Kerrabee Dam, would make any significant northward movement of the route in this area difficult.

A turn to the north-west carries the route between Box Knob and Wallaby Hill crossing Parsons Gully, Prices Gully and Myrtle Gully. This run continues for about 8 km crossing Tunbridge Creek and Policemans Track and entering an area partially developed for farming. Just before reaching Flight Springs Creek the route turns to the south-west for about 18 km. While the early parts of this section contain some rural developTient, the bulk of the section is through quite rugged country. The route selected follows generally a spur through this well timbered country and is considered to be the least difficult alignment in a very rough terrain. Access will be difficult in parts of the route but satisfactory approaches to tower positions can be achieved. The route crosses the Bow River and Heads Creek but, due to the availability of good cover from hills and

35. timber at this section of the route, visual impact will be slight. A slight deviation towards the south takes the route to the east of Lees Pinch and swiftly down to the Goulburn River valley near "Monaville". The line is about 1 kilometre east of a lookout north of Lees Pinch. The tower heads will be visible from this lookout although the location of the route with respect to its background and camouflage techniques will minimise this visual intrusion. This 7 km run takes the line across the Ulan-Sandy Hollow Railway several times as it turns to the west and then to the east. The route parallels the railway for about 5 km and precautions will be taken to ensure that there is no interference with the State Rail Authority's system. In this relatively clear part of the route use will be made of foothills for line positioning so as to reduce visual impact.

Naturally vegetated lands broadly between the Bow and Goulburn Rivers crossed by part of this section of route are understood to be included in a proposal to establish a Goulburn River National Park. Due to the extent of such areas in this locality it is not practicable to completely avoid them. Approximately 14 km of this route traverses such lands in this area. Of this length approximately 9 km, west of the Bow River, passes through previously undisturbed territory. The remaining 5 km utilises areas already crossed by the existing road to Merriwa. Advantage has been taken of the cleared lands around Poggy, which are understood to be excluded from the above proposal, by placing approximately 4 km of this route theron. Further discussions will be held with the Service to determine the most satisfactory alignment for the route. It is expected that the major effect of the proposed transmission line on these lands will be visual. This effect will be minimised by the use of restricted clearing techniques, careful selection of tower positions and, where necessary, painting of towers to blcnd into the background. The line would offer effectively no hindrance to the passage of fauna due to restricted clearing and regrowth techniques to be applied. The Service has indicated that some species of rare plants have been discovered in parts of the area considered and appropriate precautions will be taken, on the advice of the Service, to protect such species.

36. After the line has been constructed provision for access will be reduced to that necessary for maintenance purposes and appropriate restorative work will be carried out. While the line route parallels the Merriwa—Lees Pinch road access is expected to be gained from that road and accordingly unauthorised use of such access tracks would affect only a thin band of land along the road. Where the route passes close to Poggy the land is already clear. The 9 kilometre run to this cleared area from the Bow River is through country which is largely untouched. The Commission discourages unauthorised use of its access track largely by the use of physical impediments such as locked gates. Access tracks through this area will be carefully sited and appropriately secured. The location of this area isolated as it is from major population centres or major roads, allied to normal security precautions is considered adequate to deter unauthorised use of access tracks by, for example, rubbish dumpers and the like.

For the next 17 km a more southerly direction is taken through the Wollar Creek Valley, Spring Creek Valley and then into high country of the Great Dividing Range. The route passes to within 3 km of the village of Wollar but the line will be screened by an intervening series of hills. The Barigan Road and Wollar Creek are crossed south of Wollar but in an area where satisfactory locations are available. While the valley part of this section of route is mainly through cleared land, the line will largely be placed along foothills and, hence, its visual impact will be minimised. Once the line reaches higher country greater timber cover is available. Some access track construction is required in this more elevated area but no particular difficulties are expected.

National Parks and Wildlife Service are investigating naturally vegetated areas east of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve through which part of this section of route passes. An extensive deviation to the west would be necessary to completely avoid this area of interest which would take the route close to Ulan and Gulgong. Such a deviation is not considered to be practicable. Again the final alignment of the route through the area of concern will be the subject of further discussions with the Service.

37. Near Wild Bull Spring the route turns to the south and passes between Red Hill and Box Hill. This 20 km run passes through fairly rugged country with a moderate amount of access track construction required. There is some development in the Box Hill area which will be about 1 km from the line. Gulgowra Creek, Bora Creek and Dry Creek are among the watercourses crossed in this section of the route and normal techniques of construction will ensure these crossings will not disturb the natural run-off of the water. The historic village of Lue will be about 1-1/2 km from the line which will be largely concealed by intervening hills. Use will be made of a saddle through the hills north of Lue to further conceal the line. The Lue Road and the Wallerawang-Gwabegar Railway Line are crossed east of the village effectively at right angles, and again the natural features of the landscape will assist in concealment of the line.

East of Eaglehawk Rock the route takes a south-easterly direction and continues for about 7 km before a turn to the south and a run of 10 km takes the route across the Cudgegong Road. The country crossed is generally well timbered and hilly and some access track construction will be required. There are some areas of cleared land particularly in the latter part of this section of route. The north-east corner of Dungeree State Forest is clipped by the route but no interference with the activities of the Forestry Commission is anticipated. The line will pass some 6 km west of Ryistone and its location along foothills will ensure that its visual impact will be slight. Pinnacle Swamp Creek, Stony Creek and Blind Creek are among the watercourses crossed by this section of line. The Cudgegong River is crossed west of Rylstone and by choice of higher areas close to the river banks for tower positions, tower heights can be kept to a minimum and visual impact reduced. The future Windemere Dam is crossed at this point. As with crossings of all watercourses, care will be taken to avoid erosion and interference with plant life along the banks of the stream.

Just south of the Cudgegong Road the route turns to the south east for 6 km before turning to the south for 12 km passing between Bradleys Head and Mount Fitzgerald. The route is about 6 km west of Kandos, 5 km west of Charbon and some 3 km west of Clandulla. The line will be barely visible above the tree level from these population centres but the distance is such that for Kandos and Charbon the impact will be very slight while intervening hills will help to shield Clandulla. This section of route is quite restricted, being bounded on the east by Carwell Creek and on the west and east by state forests. The area traversed is generally well timbered and hilly once the Kandos region has been passed. There is some grazing activity in this region. Carwell Creek is crossed east of Kandos but the visual impact is expected to be slight. The Cudgegong Road and the Ilford Road are crossed, and standard techniques will be used to minimise visual impact of the line to travellers.

East of The Chimney the route continues to the south for about 27 km until Crown Ridge Creek is reached. This section of the route is through alter- nately cleared grazing country and lightly timbered country. Several small creeks are crossed including Running Stream, Jack Halls, Bandamora, Lochaber, Turon and Crown Stream. Normal precautions will be taken to minimise impact at these crossing points. The Lithgow Mudgee Road will be crossed effectively at right angles south-east of Running Stream and care will be taken to minimise visual impact on travellers. The route crosses the existing 132 kV line from Wallerawang to Beryl west of Round Swamp and loosely parallels this line at a distance of about 1 km for the remainder of this section of the route. The different purposes to be served by these lines allow their close proximity without endangering security of the system. The village of Capertee is some 3 km to the east of the route while the hamlet of Running Stream is some 2 km to the west. Distance and careful siting of towers within the features of the local landscape will reduce the visual impact on these population centres to a very low level. The naturally vegetated lands in the Lochaber Creek/Turon Creek/Crown Swamp Creek area south of Capertee could be considered as forming a nature corridor between the Turon River area to the west and the Coco Creek area to the east. The major existing breaks across this corridor are the Wallerawang - Gwabegar railway line and the Mudgee road which offer much greater hindrance to the passage of natural species than would the restricted clearing which would accompany the construction of the new line. The route passes to within 1 km of "Knoyle" and "Melrose", two historic buildings. These homesteads will not be affected by the line construction

39. I

although the completed line will be visible from "Melrose" and barely visible from "Knoyle" There are a number of private landing grounds in this area and the route passes close to several of these. Discussions with individual property owners will be necessary to ensure safety of air travellers by relocation of the landing strips or the line as appropriate. The line route is about 3.5 kilometres west of Pearson's Lookout. The major area of viewing from this lookout is to the east but it is likely that tower heads may be just visible through breaks in the timber cover shielding the lookout from the west. Appropriate camouflaging techniques will be applied if necessary in this area although the positioning of the line with respect to its background will ensure minimal visual impact.

Several cave systems have been reported in the general area of the Cudge- gong and Capertee valleys including Coko Creek, Blue Rock, Apple Tree Flat and Cudgegong. Detailed information which would allow precise location of such caves is not available. Care will be taken in the positioning and construction of towers and access tracks to protect caves of significance which may come to light during the process of survey for the line route.

North of Jews Mountain the route changes direction and runs due south for some 10 km. The country traversed is hilly and well timbered but good access is available to most of the line route from existing roads and tracks. The route diverges from the existing 132 kV line from Wallerawang to Beryl and passes between Jews Mountain and the historic homestead of "Como Valley", This building will not be affected by the construction of the line but the line will be visible from it. No major roads or population centres are encountered in this section of the route. Established procedures of erosion control, non-interference with banks of streams and camouflage will be used to ensure minimum impact at the crossings of the Several creeks in the area - Dulhuntys, Jews and Crown Ridge included.

Some Lj km north of Portland the route turns to the south-west, follows this direction for about 14 km then turns again to the south for about 14 km before entering the switchyard at Mount Piper Power Station from the west. The line is screened from Portland by intervening hills while the village of Cullen Bullen, some 14 km north-east from the line will be only slightly

40. effected due to the distance involved. The roads linking Portland to Cullen Bullen and to the Mudgee Road will be crossed effectively at right angles to minimise visual impact as will the Wallerawang-Gwabegar Railway Line. Several small creeks including Hunts and Lambing Flat are crossed and established minimum impact techniques will be used. The area traversed is generally undulating grazing country with good access to the line route. The route would come no closer than about 2 km to the busy Mudgee Road and due to the intervening landscape no visual impact on travellers is anticipated from this section of the route.

This route is shown in some detail on the enclosed series of black and white route maps. The bandwidth shown is an indication of uncertainty in final line alignment in particular areas. The precise alignment can only be determined by survey and will take into account the requirements of property owners, local government authorities, etc.

41. '7

G. ASSOCIATED WORKS

G.1 Bayswater Power Station Switchyard

Major augmentation of the Bayswater Power Station switchyard which is initially being constructed for 330 kV operation will be required for the connection of the third and fourth generating units and the proposed 500 kV transmission line. These augmentations include the construction of busbars insulated for 500 kV and the installation of seven 500/330 kV single phase transformers, two reactors and associated circuit breakers and switches. In addition to these works prudent space provision will be made for the possible future connection of two more 500 kV circuits.

All of this work will be carried out within the area allocated for the switchyard in the environmental impact statement for the Bayswater Power Station and in the context of its industrial setting is considered to be environmentally acceptable.

G.2 Mount Piper Power Station Switchyard

The proposed 500 kV transmission line between Bayswater and Mount Piper is required to be in service for the commissioning of the third generating unit at Bayswater Power Station. This will be some twelve months prior to the commissioning of the first generating unit at Mount Piper and the completion of the planned 500 kV line from Mount Piper Power Station to Marulan Substation. The new 330 kV line from Wallerawang to Wellington will, however be in service and connected to the Mount Piper switchyard at about the same time as the proposed line from Bayswater.

As mentioned in the environmental impact statement for the Mount Piper Power Station it is planned to establish a 500/330/132 kV substation in association with the power station. The need to connect the proposed line from Bayswater to meet the commissioning of the third unit there has simply advanced the commissioning date for the switchyard by about twelve months. The switchyard will contain busbars, transformers, reactors, circuit breakers, switches and other associated equipment.

42. All of this work will be carried out within the area allocated for the switchyard in the Mount Piper Power Station impact statement and in the context of its industrial setting is considered to be environmentally acceptable.

G.3 Wallerawang Power Station Switchyard

In association with the connection of the Wallerawang-Wellington 330 kV line to the Mount Piper Power Station switchyard rearrangements will be made at Wallerawang to connect one circuit of the line from Mount Piper to one circuit of the line from Wallerawang to Sydney. In this way a direct link between Mount Piper and Sydney will be established while a second link will be available via Wallerawang Power Station. The Mount Piper Power Station and the Wallerawang - Wellington transmission line have been the subject of separate Environmental Impact Statements.

Until the Mount Piper-Marulan 500 kV line is completed this double circuit 330 kV link in conjunction with other existing lines from the north will be adequate to convey the required quantity of power from the northern and western power stations to the Sydney load centre and areas south.

G.14 Development of the 500 kV System

In the context of continually increasing community demand for electric power on the one hand and environmental responsibility on the other, a decision was taken by the Electricity Commission to introduce a new operating voltage of 500 kV to the transmission system in New South Wales. The choice of this voltage for certain lines will increase the power transfer capacity of the necessary transmission line easements to a level approximately three times that of the largest 330 kV transmission line presently in service in this state. The higher voltage does require slightly wider easements and higher towers but it is considered that the environmental benefits provided by restricting the number of separate line routes considerably outweighs these disadvantages.

43 . The first 500 kV line from Eraring Power Station to Kemps Creek Substation is currently under construction and is due to be commissioned in 1983. The environmental effect of this line was investigated in its own Environ- mental Impact Statement in 1978. The second 500 kV line to be firmly planned is that from Mount Piper Power Station to Marulan Substation and its environmental impact was examined in the impact statement for the power station with which its construction is associated. This line is expected to be in service, initially at 330 kV, in late 1986.

This present Statement examines the environmental impact of the third such line to be firmly planned, between Bayswater and Mount Piper Power Sta- tions. This line is required to be completed before 1986 and hence before the line to Marulan. This Statement has also foreshadowed construction of 49 a second 500 kV line from Bayswater Power Station to the Eraring area, although to date a definite time scale has not been placed on this project.

Further development of the 500 kV system has not yet been firmly planned, but could include reconstruction, largely on existing easements of the two 330 kV single circuit transmission lines linking the central coast power stations to Sydney, as foreshadowed in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Eraring - Kemps Creek transmission line and the associated Environmental Inquiry. H. SUMMARY

This Statement has shown the need for the erection of a new 500 kV double circuit transmission line from Bayswater Power Station to Mount Piper Power Station and described the methods and techniques to be used in this project.

A route for this line has been found and investigated in some detail from an environmental point of view. This route, the Preferred Route, is environmentally acceptable within the constraints discussed provided established techniques are utilised where necessary to minimise visual impact and special care is taken in environmentally sensitive areas such as the crossing of watercourses.

Several feasible alternative routes have been discussed but discarded in favour of the preferred route because of the balance of relative effects on environmental constraints.

The preferred route leaves Bayswater Power Station in a general north- westerly direction and passes to the north and west of Wollemi National Park. The route passes to the west of Kandos and continues south to Mount Piper Power Station. The preferred route is about 225 km long and is estimated to involved capital expenditure of about $105(m).

It is called the Western route in this Statement.

)45. I. APPENDICES

1.1 Principles of Design

1.1.1 Physical Descrintion of Transmission Line

A transmission line consists of supporting structures carrying conductors and earthwires located on an easement.

The easement width is dependent on operating voltage, structure configuration and land form. The easement required for a 500 000 volt double circuit transmission line is nominally 70 metres wide. However, it may be necessary to increase this width in areas where long spans are necessary.

The Commission will, as soon as practicable, negotiate with property owners for the acquisition of easements for the transmission line. In the meantime it will seek the agreement of property owners to carry out sur- veys and to construct the line.

The easements when acquired will, among other things, confer rights on the Commission to construct, operate and maintain the transmission line. The easement will not be fenced and the land within the area may be used for normal agricultural pursuits including the growing of shrubs and, in suitable areas, trees. However, it will be necessary to restrict the erection of buildings and structures and to ensure that any other use made of the area is done so with safety and in a similar manner to that on land occupied by existing transmission line routes.

It will be necessary for the Commission to have access to the transmission line and to each structure position for maintenance purposes. The Commis- sion would also seek to acquire a right of way or other agreement for this access from existing roads or tracks where it is considered preferable for environmental or other reasons not to obtain such access along the easement.

46. It could be expected that under normal circumstances the line would be inspected for maintenance purposes some three or four times a year either by the use of a Land Rover type of vehicle on the ground or by helicopter from the air or both.

The Commission would seek to negotiate with property owners compensation payable for injurious affection caused by the easement. It would reim- burse property owners for any damage which may be caused as a result of its construction activities.

1.1.1.1 Structures

The types of structures proposed to be used in the line are galvanised lattice steel towers as are being used for the 500 kV line from Eraring Power Station to, Kemps Creek Substation and are similar in many respects to the 330 kV double circuit steel towers generally used in the Commission's system. An outline drawing of a typical suspension structure is shown as Figure I of this Statement. The suspension structure carried the weight of the conductors. The tension structure which is heavier carries this weight plus any loading arising from angles in the line. The structures are being designed on an open bracing principle to reduce the number of small members used and to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The Commission has also adopted for 500 kV lines the use of V shaped insulator strings which by constraining the movement of the conductors at the tower is a factor in reducing the width of the easement required and the height of the structure.

The structures are designed to have variable heights to allow for varia- tions in ground levels and for the crossing of obstructions such as other power lines, telephone lines, roads, railways and to reduce tree lopping or removal where necessary. They will provide for a minimum clearance of 11 m above ground level at any point along the conductors when these are carrying current such that they reach their maximum design temperature.

The average height of the structures will be about 55 metres and the average distance between structures will be about 1420 metres. The range in height and separation of structures will be determined by the terrain. 147. The loads to be carried by the structures are very high, particularly at angle and termination locations, and angle sections of up to approximately 250 mm x 250 mm x 35 mm will be required on towers for leg members. Foundations will be of the concrete type but once installed will not be visible except where they enter the ground. The tower bases will occupy less than 0.5 percent of the easement. All structures will be earthed to permit them to operate as lightning conductors when necessary.

Anti-climbing devices will be fitted to each structure to prevent unauthorised climbing. Safety devices such as ladders fitted with safety locks and wire mesh walkways on crossarms will be provided to protect Commission staff involved in maintenance of the line.

1.1.1.2 Conductors

The main current-carrying conductors will be steel-cored aluminium. Each conductor will be about 30 mm in diameter. The conductors will be grouped in bundles of four with each conductor located on the angle of a square having a side of approximately 1450 mm. Two smaller aluminium clad steel conductors each about 13 mm in diameter will be strung from the top of the towers as earthwires (except at the ends of the line where steel cored aluminium conductors having a diameter of about 21 mm will be used).

The bundle of four conductors will be arranged in vertical groups of three on each side of the tower, hence providing two three phase power circuits.

The conductor will be supplied on re-usable steel drums.

1.1.1.3 Insulators

Air is used as an insulator between conductors in mid span. However, it is necessary to provide insulation between the current-carrying conductors and the support points at every tower.

ME The main current carrying-conductors will be insulated from the towers by strings of insulating discs. The insulators will be arranged in V strings on each suspension tower crossarm and in parallel strings on each tension tower crossarm. Each string will contain about 30 discs.

1.1.1.4 Construction Procedures

The construction of a transmission line is carried out in several stages and in this case the procedures adopted will be similar to those developed over many years and used for the construction of other steel tower transmission lines.

The five main construction activities are:

Access and clearing. Foundations. Structure erection. Stringing. Restoration. a. Access and Clearing

It is necessary to establish means of access to each structure site for the necessary plant to be used for the excavation of holes and for the installation of the four foundations required for each tower, for the supply and erection of the towers and for the running out of conductors. Care is taken in selecting the route of the access track to cause minimal damage to the existing environment. The presence of existing tracks can influence the location of towers but other considerations such as visibility and existing land use will also be considered.

While these access tracks can be planned, experience has shown that a minimum effect on the environment is obtained by selecting their routes as the line proceeds. This permits the conditions prevailing at the time of construction to be taken into account. At this same

49. time, and particularly in timbered country, any necessary cutting and lopping of trees would be carried out. Those trees on the structure sites or affecting structure erection will be removed. Tall trees along the line route which would be hazardous to the operation of the line will be lopped or where lopping would be unsightly or unsatis- factory the tree will be removed. To permit the stringing operation to be carried out narrow strips along the centre of the line may be cleared of overhanging branches or trees. Experience has shown that the effect of these cleared strips is minimal to the extent that no permanent scar remains after a short regrowth period. The wishes of property owners with respect to amount of clearing are respected wherever possible.

The Commission is developing mechanical growth control techniques (brush cutters, etc) to allow a reduction in manual or chemical control methods and accordingly after the line is in service it may be necessary to remove additional trees and stuips to enable these mechanical growth control techniques to be fully effective.

In state forests recovery of useful timber and the disposal of the remaining material will be under the supervision of the Forestry Corrrnission. Elsewhere the disposal of cleared vegetation will be carried out either by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the Local Council and other authorities and in a manner acceptable to the property owner, or by the property owner himself. b. Foundations

The foundations will require the excavation of soil or rock and the pouring of concrete to form a base for the structure. Normal excavation plant and ready mixed concrete carriers will be involved in this operation. Where hard rock is encountered, explosives may be used. Mat containment and careful control of the amount of explosive used will prevent damage to nearby areas.

Surplus spoil will be spread over the tower site after construction with a minimum change in contours.

50. C. Structure Erection

The steel for the structures will be fabricated in factories and delivered to site in bundles. It will be sorted at the site and assembled in parts on the ground and erected using cranes. The structures will be bolted together and in normal circumstances will be self supporting without the need to use guys. d. Stringing

The stringing operation will involve the assembly and attachment to the structure of insulators and the installation of the conductors. A technique known as "tension stringing" will be used. This requires that the conductor drums be mounted on braking machines and the conductor pulled out by winches using a draw wire over sheaves mounted at the structure head in such a manner that the conductor is kept clear of the ground. The stringing plant will consist of conductor delivery vehicles, braking machines and pulling machines.

To implement this "tension stringing" procedure it will be necessary to establish sites at intervals of five or more kilcxiietres along the route where conductor drums can be delivered and mounted on the braking machines and where the pulling machines can be set up. It is preferred that naturally flat ground be used for the braking and pulling machine locations. After a short period of natural regrowth there is little evidence of there having been any activity in the area.

The erection of overhead earthwires is carried out in a similar manner.

At river crossings or in very rugged country of high environmental significance the use of helicopters during the stringing operation may be adopted thereby reducing access track construction and clearing.

51. e. Restoration

When conductors have been strung, tensioned and secured, areas such as access tracks, emban1ents and tower sites which have lost some of their natural vegetation growth are treated to stabilise erosion and to promote new plant growth. Revegetation will be carried out using suitable techniques including the sowing of seed and planting trees and shrubs.

This restoration work will be carried out as work proceeds having regard to local and climatic conditions and will meet the requirements of the Soil Conservation Service, whose advice will be sought whenever this is considered necessary. . 1.1.1.5 Construction Practices

It is normal for work to be carried out in the hours of daylight. At special locations such as the crossing of roads or railway lines the stringing work may be done at weekends or even at night to minimise dis— ruption to services and public inconvenience.

The construction of access tracks and clearing work would proceed first. The installation of foundations would commence and when sufficiently advanced, tower erection and the stringing operation would follow. It is expected that these operations would overlap in time but this would depend on the construction contractor.

The number of men engaged on construction work may vary considerably depending upon the number of activities proceeding at any one time. It would be expected that in a job of this nature the men would work in teams of 6 or 8 and the total number of men employed would vary from an initial 12 or so up to about 100 should all activities overlap. Such staff could, however, be dispersed over the total length of the line.

52. Camping arrangements for the construction staff would be required in a number of locations as work proceeds. When work is completed in a particular area the site would be closed and a new site would be established.

The camps will consist of modern caravan type accommodation providing sleeping, eating and sanitary facilities as well as vehicle and plant servicing arrangements. The type of work to be performed does not require heavy workshop facilities on site and the Contractors to be engaged for the work would have such facilities available to them elsewhere if required. The Contractor may, however, establish a small field depot to carry out running repairs and maintenance on his plant.

Arrangements for the camp sites will be made with local property owners and with appropriate authorites for water, power and telephone requirements. These sites will be required to fully comply with all regulations and requirements of the appropriate Local Government Authority. The sites would normally be chosen so that ready access can be obtained to a major section of the line, and these would be restored following completion of the work to meet the requirements of the property owner and the Local Government Authority.

1.1.1.6 Transmission Line Performance

A transmission line transfers electrical energy from a point of supply to a point of demand. A major line, such as that proposed here, will become an important component of the high voltage transmission network and its reliability must be high. By the use of earthwires, the effective earth- ing of structures and the location of the line away from ridges or pla- teaux, the likelihood of outage of the line due to lightning strikes is greatly reduced. At the high voltage of operation of the proposed transmission line, the insulation required would further reduce the likelihood of serious lightning problems.

53. The fast automatic protection schemes used on these lines ensure that any fault which may occur on the transmission line is of minimum duration. Most line faults occur at the top of the tower between conductors and the tower head and with high speed protection there is no fall-out of hot material which could start a fire. Of all the types of transmission lines used in recent years the high voltage steel tower transmission line is the least likely to cause a bush fire.

On the other hand since the adoption of the practice of "minimum" clearing, travelling bushfires can burn underneath the conductors where they generate ionised gases which can permit a "flashover" between conductors such that the automatic high speed protection equipnent then causes the line to be switched out of service. This is currently a more prevalent cause for line outage than is lightning. Accordingly, while minimum clearing is practised it is desirable that transmission lines located in bushland and supplying a common area be located at least one kilometre apart so that the one fire is unlikely to affect all of the transmission lines concurrently with a resultant total power loss to the area. Should important transmission lines be located close to each other to form a corridor it may be necessary to carry out more extensive clearing than usual to reduce the likelihood of the lines being brought out of service by bushfires.

I. 1 .2 Environmental Considerations

1.1.2.1 Transmission Lines

These comments relate to transmission lines generally. Any transmission line route in New South Wales would be determined in accordance with these principles. The actual routes considered are examined in detail in the body of this Statement.

The effects of high voltage transmission lines on the countryside are mainly visual but there is also a need to co-ordinate with other land use proposals. High voltage transmission lines have only a limited effect on geological features and on plant, bird or animal life associated with the area through which they run. 54. For these reasons this section presents an assessment of the impact of the proposed transmission line on the following:

Urban areas The general visual pattern from frequented areas

C. Reservations or development in the area d. Aboriginal relics

The impact in respect of these items is:

a. Urban Areas

The impact of steel tower transmission lines on urban areas is largely visual due to their intrusion on urban development. Close to the development the effect may be most noticeable although this can often be reduced by growing trees and shrubs on unoccupied ground close to the towers.

The avoidance of "skylining", that is the silhouetting of towers against the sky, and the planting of trees and shrubs can reduce the visual effects but it is impracticable to conceal a line from all locations in an urban area.

The Commission's present transmission line siting policy is:

. to avoid passing through urban areas, if possible; to minimise the visual effect in other areas by the avoidance of skylining where possible; to leave existing ground cover undisturbed where possible; and reduce clearing of timber to a minimum; to encourage regrowth of vegetation augmented by planting of trees and shrubs, and to locate transmission lines within established service corridors where these are available and suitable for transmission line use.

55. b. General Visual Pattern from Freauented Areas

In areas close to main roads or highways which are frequented by large numbers of people or in a popular tourist area the prominence of a steel tower transmission line may be considered to be out of harmony with the landscape.

Such areas are avoided where possible or crossed with a minimum of disturbance. Lookouts and their viewing areas are given special consideration in siting steel tower transmission lines. Within the area of view from a lookout it is desirable to site a transmission line against a natural bushland setting and to use camouflaging techniques. These techniques are described later in this Appendix.

It has been established that steel tower transmission lines properly located and camouflaged are inconspicuous one kilometre from the line and may be accepted as having no visual impact at a distance of three kilometres from the line. Beyond this distance in the field of view from a lookout it is considered that a camouflaged line with a suitable background would be quite acceptable.

C. Reservations or Developments in the Area

National Parks, State Forests, State Recreation Areas, water catchment areas and wildlife sanctuaries are considered as reservations. is In a National Park a steel tower transmission line may interfere with' development or be alien to any plan of management, proposed or existing. Industrial artifacts (such as transmission lines) would be incompatible with areas designated as wilderness and could be considered to be out of context with other areas set aside specifically for their naturalness or scenic merit. Where suitable alternative routes are available it is the Commission's policy to avoid National Parks.

56. In State Forests a transmission line may alienate an area from forestry activities. However, by consultation with the forestry authorities a route can be chosen which is a sensible compromise between limtation of these activities and ideal line location.

State Recreation Areas may be adversely affected by a steel tower transmission line both visually and by restricting certain types of recreation activities. Accordingly, where practicable, such Areas are avoided.

Water supply authorities place special conditions on the activities of construction and maintenance staff in catchment areas and areas of stored water. Provided these conditions are complied with a trans- 40 mission line is acceptable within a water catchment area.

Wildlife sanctuaries call for minimum interference to the existing environment. By using techniques of minimum clearing there is little effect on wildlife. The tower footings use less than 0.5 percent of the easement area so that at ground level there is little disturbance to animal life.

Developed areas include scientific or research establishments and farms. The activity of a scientific or research establishment deter- mines whether a transmission line will have an effect on it. Steel towers with aerial conductors may affect some establishments such as a radio astronomy station but not others such as an experimental farm. The Commission avoids locating lines near sensitive establishments.

Airports and airstrips impose limitations on transmission line location. Provided the line is an adequate distance from the runways no problems arise.

A transmission line through a rural area could be considered to affect the rural atmosphere of a district. Whilst the presence of such a line may be an intrusion into the visual amenity of a rural area, any other effects are minimal because:

57. Ci) most agricultural activities can continue under such lines; the area alienated by the tower bases is less than 0.5% of the total easement; vehicles of normal height can operate under the line and local Commission officers are available for advice regarding passage of unusually large vehicles; minimum clearing techniques avoid unnecessary destruction of trees; there are no adverse effects on livestock as is confirmed by the behaviour of animals under or near existing lines; vehicular access is not frequently required after the erection of structures located in crop paddocks; and there is no appreciable effect on domestic appliances outside of the easement under normal operating conditions.

For these reasons transmission lines have been found compatible with rural activities.

The Commission's present policy on siting transmission lines in rural areas is, as far as practicable, to minimise the effect of the line on the cultivation, irrigation, forestation, pest control and harvesting of crops.

Highways, roads, railways, conveyor belts and pipelines are constraints for the location of lines. Crossings of highways, roads and railways requires special consideration regarding clearance of the overhead conductors to the traffic which can pass under them.

Also the crossing requires care to ensure that the line visibility is minimised. In the case of railways, conveyor belts and pipelines there may be electrical problems created when transmission lines run close and parallel to these services for distances in the order of a kilometre or more. By taking special precautions these problems can be overcome. However, it is the usual practice to locate the transmission line at a distance from the other services.

58. d. Aboriginal Relics

Aboriginal relics are a valuable historic asset and care will be taken to preserve any which may be found during route investigation and line construction. Known relics will be avoided. If requested by National Parks and Wildlife Service an archaeological survey will be carried out along appropriate sections of the preferred route.

1.1.3 Environmental Safeguards

It is not possible to locate transmission lines and substations such that they are completely concealed from view. The following techniques are used by the Commission to reduce the visual impact of transmission lines and substations and will be used where appropriate for the installation proposed.

1.1.3.1 Tower Design and Selection

In sensitive areas where a range of structure types is available the preference is for that type which would be least conspicuous in the environment of the proposed line having regard to the conflict between easement width and visibility. Single circuit low profile towers may be less visible but for the same power transfer capacity over twice the easement width is required compared to one double circuit line since two separate lines would be required. In order to maximise the power transfer capacity of the easements required for the proposed Bayswater to Mount Piper transmission line it is planned to use double circuit steel tower construction throughout.

The structures proposed are classified as either tension or suspension towers. The tension towers are used at angle positions in the line and are heavier in weight and bulkier in appearance than the suspension structures which are used at sensibly straight line positions. An outline drawing of a typical 500 kV suspension tower is included as Figure 4.

59. Consequently, if the route is in a series of straight runs with angles only five kilometrres or so the benefit of the lighter, less obtrusive suspension towers can be achieved. Also lines with mainly straight sections minimise the number of locations required as drum sites during the stringing operation.

A photograph of 500 kV steel towers erected as part of the Eraring to Kemps Creek 500 kV transmission line are included in a later Appendix. The towers to be used for the proposed line will be similar to those shown.

1.1.3.2 Transmission Line Tower Treatment and Siting

It has been found in some locations, particularly those with a background of thick evergreen foliage, that the visual effect of the towers can be lessened by painting them dark green after erection. In other areas with a lighter background or where other concrete or steel structures predomi- nate, greater harmony is achieved with the surrounding countryside by allowing the towers to remain grey. Following the erection of the line on-site decisions are made to select the more appropriate colour for each tower considering its particular background and setting. An enclosed photograph in a later Appendix shows the success of tower painting as a camouflage measure when used with an appropriate background.

Every effort is made to site towers so that they are not silhouetted against the sky. In open flat country it is difficult to camouflage or conceal a transmission line. On the other hand, in hilly country it is possible to conceal a transmission line from areas of view such as roads or townships. If a line is located within the hilly terrain on the slopes remote from the point of view it can be concealed by the intervening hills.

1.1.3.3 Dull Conductor

Where transmission lines are built within sensitive viewing areas the conductors used are given special treatment during manufacture. This treatment reduces the shine of the new conductor from the time it is first 60. erected and so reduces dramatically the extent to which it becomes apparent to the viewer. The effect is illustrated by a photograph in a later Appendix.

However, untreated conductors in less sensitive areas will darken to give a similar benefit after a few years.

1.1.3.4 Insulators

Insulators for transmission lines can have a brown colour or a grey colour as illustrated by a photograph in a later Appendix. In areas where the towers are painted green, brown insulators are used and in other areas grey insulators are used. This assists the line in blending into the background and becoming less noticeable.

1.1.3.5 Restricted Clean

The Commission has been progressively reducing the clearing carried out during the construction of transmission lines. The technique of "minimum" or "restricted" clearing is now the usual practice. Trees which do not stand on tower sites or access tracks and which do not encroach on the necessary electrical clearance to the line are allow to stand and where possible lopping of trees is carried out rather than removal if aesthetically preferable.

This technique reduces the impact of the line on bushland as is shown by photographs attached.

1.1.3.6 Ground Cover Restoration

Effective ground cover restoration techniques have been developed to improve visual effects and prevent soil erosion.

As construction traffic diminishes - usually after conductors have been strung, tensioned and secured, areas such as access tracks, embankments and tower sites which may have lost some of their natural growth are

61. treated to stabilise erosion effects and to promote new plant growth. Revegetation around the base of a tower is shown by a photograph attached.

Conventional methods of sowing seed and planting trees and shrubs are used at appropriate locations.

To maintain appearance in rough terrain, a spraying technique is used to disperse seed, water, fibre, nutrients and bitumen emulsion in one operation. The seed used is selected after expert assessment of the flora of the area and in this way an environment similar to that which previously existed is recreated.

In sandstone country another spray is used to cover bare rock surface until the natural mosses and lichens re-establish themselves.

[I:

62.

1.2 Use of Underground Cables

At present the only practical alternative to the use of overhead lines for the purpose of transmission of electric power is the use of underground cables. In drawing comparisons between the two alternative transmission systems it is important that similar transmission voltages and similar power transfers be considered. While no 500 kV cables have yet been constructed in Australia, short lengths are currently in service in the United States and Japan and no substantial technical difficulties are foreseen in their eventual use over restricted distances in New South Wales.

Whereas a transmission line requires access to each tower site and to 40 locations for conductor drums and winching stations with minimum access or clearing between towers, an underground cable installation requires a road capable of carrying loads in excess of 10 t along its entire route. This road is required for both construction and maintenance purposes and so is a permanent installation. Existing roads may serve as access to cable routes but if no roads exist then they must be constructed. A suitable road would be about 4 m wide of all-weather construction.

The underground cables are installed in trenches about 1 m wide and have a depth sufficient to keep the cables free from any damage due to expected excavation, e.g., change in road levels. The cable trenches can be located in the road surface but are normally to one side of the main trafficable area to reduce disturbance to traffic flow during installation or maintenance.

The existence of underground installations such as water, sewerage or gas pipes is taken into account when selecting the cable route and installing the cables.

The access road would be maintained in a trafficable condition and only grass or shallow rooted shrubs permitted over or near the cables.

63.

When underground cables are in service they generate heat and increase in temperature. In order to avoid damage to cable insulation due to excessive temperatures it is necessary to keep a separation of some 3 m between separate cable circuits so that there is not a local concentration of heat. The heat produced by underground cables usually escapes from the ground to the atmosphere but can be removed by installing water pipes in the cable trench and circulating cool water through these cooling pipes.

The cost of construction of a typical 500 kV double circuit transmission line is estimated at roughly $500,000 per km. The cost of installing 500 kV cables with the same power transfer capacity is expected to exceed $10(m) per km. In addition several millions of dollars would be required to construct the necessary transition points where the underground cables connect to the overhead lines. These installations would be fenced and contain steel structures, switchgear, control equipment and the like.

Having regard to existing land usage it is considered that the cost of underground cables compared to the cost of overhead transmission lines prohibits their use in the areas under consideration. For example, if underground cables were to be used for a 5 km length of line in the area of the proposed crossing of the Hunter River, the additional cost involved would approximate $50 (m).

There are other environmental considerations in addition to the need for roads and the constraints on plant growth near cables which weigh against their use. For instance, if steep slopes are encountered special trench- 40 ing techniques are required to avoid soil erosion arising from the trench providing a man-made drain down the slope. This special trenching would approximately double the cost of this part of the cable installation.

River crossings with a cable installation can be environmentally more damaging than an overhead transmission line crossing. Cables would require a tract of land wide enough for a road and the necessary cable trenches fully cleared to the water's edge. With steep banks special trenching techniques would be adopted. This could reduce the amenity of

64. the river if grassy or treed river banks existed before cables were installed. On the other hand, an overhead transmission line would not require drastic clearing at the water's edge but only the clearing necessary for tower sites and access tracks. The choice of a suitable crossing point and the use of dull conductor would minimise the visibility of the transmission line crossing.

In summary then for this application the use of overhead lines is preferred to the use of underground cables on both economic and environmental grounds.

65. 1.3 Authorities Consulted

When a transmission line route is proposed the Electricity Commission consults various Government Departments, Instrumentalities and Authorities at Commonwealth, State and Local levels to determine whether there will be any conflict between the activities of those bodies and the proposed transmission lines.

Due notice is taken of any comments received and where necessary the line route is varied to reach an acceptable comprcnise having regard to the local conditions of terrain, development, environment and planning.

In respect of the preferred route for this transmission line the following 40 bodies have been consulted.

Commonwealth

Australian Broadcasting Commission CSIRO Department of Administrative Services Department of Transport - Air Transport Group Overseas Telecommunications Commission Pipeline Authority Postal and Telecommunications Department Telecom Australia

State

Department of Education Department of Environment and Planning Department of Industrial Development and Decentralisation Department of Lands Department of Main Roads Department of Mineral Resources Department of Public Works

W. Energy Authority of New South Wales Forestry Commission of New South Wales Heritage Council of New South Wales Housing Commission of New South Wales Hunter District Water Board Joint Coal Board Maritime Services Board, NSW Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board National Parks and Wildlife Service Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales State Rail Authority of New South Wales Water Resources Commission Bathurst Pastures Protection Board Merriwa Pastures Protection Board Mudgee Pastures Protection Board Singleton Pastures Protection Board

Local Government

City of Greater Lithgow Merriwa Shire Council Mudgee Shire Council Muswellbrook Shire Council Rylstone Shire Council Singleton Shire Council Prospect County Council 40 Shortland County Council Southern Mitchell County Council Ulan County Council

Miscellaneous

Australian Gas Light Company National Trust of Australia (NSW)

67. Subject to determination of the environmental acceptability of the preferred route the requirements of the above authorities have in general been satisfied. There will be further consultation, particularly at Local Government level, concerning the alignment of the transmission line and tower location within the concept of the determined route.

ME 1.4 Use of Corridors for Transmission Lines

The Commission's approach to the corridoring of 330 kV and 500 kV transmission lines and the selection of the double circuit and single circuit types of design is as follows:

At 330 kV, only the single circuit type of line was constructed until the mid 19601 s. Concern for avoiding proliferation of lines in the Sydney region led to a proposal that the next line to be constructed between Munmorah Power Station and Sydney should have twice the number of conductors. The main choice to be made was between arranging the 12 conductors as one three-phase circuit with four conductors per phase or as two three-phase circuits with two conductors per phase. The latter arran- gement, i.e. double circuit, was selected because the conductors could be loaded up to limits imposed by conductor temperature without a prior limit being set by other technical factors, and because half the capacity of the line could be retained in service under some circumstances, e.g. a failure in terminal equipment of one circuit or during certain types of maintenance on the transmission line or terminal equipment. Although it was realised that failures due to lightning and other causes would not always involve both circuits of the transmission line, the estimated risk of simultaneous faults was, and still is, regarded as sufficiently high that total failure of the transmission line should in general be the basis for determining the number of double circuit transmission lines required at any stage of development.

Ten years later., during the planning of transmission from Eraring Power Station, it was recognised that a still higher utilisation of each line easement on the Central Coast was becoming necessary and that the only effective way of achieving sufficient capacity was to introduce a higher voltage level than 330 kV. The choice reduced to constructing on each easement either a double circuit 500 kV line or a single circuit 750 kV line, the capacity of either of these transmission lines being practically the same (a double circuit line was not considered feasible at the higher voltage of 750 kV). The 500 kV alternative was selected because, as in the previous 330 kV case mentioned, advantages were seen in dividing the

ME total capacity between two circuits even though account had to be taken of a total failure of the line when determining the number of lines required. Selection of the 500 kV voltage level was, and still is, seen as allowing possible future use of single circuit 500 kV lines in country areas, where a lower line capacity could be appropriate.

Having minimised the number of easements by selection of a sufficiently high capacity for each transmission line, the reliability of supply to the load area served, or the security of the whole interconnection such as the transmission lines from major power stations, is heavily dependent on avoiding simultaneous failure of two transmission lines on parallel easements due to lightning or bushfires or other causes. The only effective way of minimising this risk is by adequate separation between parallel easements, i.e. "loose" rather than "close" corridoring. The actual separation in any instance will depend on the type of country being traversed, possible use of common access roads, etc. However, 1 kin separation is regarded as a general guide.

Exceptions to these principles have to be made in special cases such as the approaches to power stations and substations.

In general, the following rules apply:

Ci) It is only in special circumstances that the double circuit type of transmission line is used to avoid a second easement to supply a particular load area - only over short distances and when alternative supply is available.

(ii) Normally an area is supplied by two or more transmission lines and selection between the single circuit and double circuit types of line depends on the appropriate capacity on each easement, alternative design voltages that could be considered and the operational benefits of dividing the line capacity between two circuits.

70. When reliability of supply to an area or security of the whole interconnected system is heavily dependent on parallel easements, these must be spaced sufficiently to avoid simultaneous failure of two transmission lines whether they are of the single circuit or double circuit type.

71. 1.5 Features of 500 kV Transmission

The first transmission line in New South Wales to operate at 500 kV is not planned for completion until 1983. Accordingly the transmission of power at that voltage is a concept with which few people have had an opportunity to become familiar. The following is included for interest and information.

Established Technol

The technology of 500 kV transmission is widely accepted and well established in Canada, U.S.A., Japan, South America and Russia and is already in use and being extended in Australia on the Victorian system. The first 500 kV line in the New South Wales system is currently under construction. The associated electrical plant such as transformers and switchgear is commercially available from a number of sources and the problems of design are well understood. Voltage levels above 500 kV, though they are in use or under developnent elsewhere are considered to have no advantage for the New South Wales system at this time.

Efficiency of Land Use

By the use of four conductors, each of about 1150 square millimetres in each phase, the capacity of the proposed 500 kV double circuit transmission line will be approximately three times as great as the largest 330 kV transmission line at present in service in New South Wales. The present highest rated 330 kV double circuit transmission line requires an easement 60 metres wide. The 500 kV double circuit transmission line will require an easement only 10 metres wider giving a 160 percent gain in kilowatts of transmission capacity per metre width of easement.

Visual Impact

The height of a transmission line structure increases as the operating voltage is increased in order that safe electrical clearances will be maintained. Further, the heavier the conductors used in a transmission line, the stronger must the supporting structures be. 72. On flat terrain towers in the proposed 500 kV transmission line will be about 30 percent higher, but the structures would be about 5 percent further apart than those of a 330 kV double circuit line.

Looking to the future when the 500 kV transmission system is more fully developed, there will be a higher power transfer per easement. The net result will be for fewer lines to transmit the same amount of power hence providing reduced overall visual impact.

(d) Secondary Electrical Effects

The main secondary electrical effects of a transmission line relate to radio or television interference and electric fields.

Although there may be some fading of radio reception in a car passing underneath a transmission line, a domestic installation off the easement does not suffer undesirable reduction in reception in normal situations. In fringe areas a properly erected aerial overcomes any reduction in quality of reception occasioned by the proximity of a transmission line. Similarly television reception is acceptable outside a transmission line easement. Other domestic appliances are not affected by transmission lines.

Common examples of electric fields are those associated with nylon clothing or static charges on a motor car in very dry weather. The electric field due to the proposed transmission line at the edge of the easement will be so low that it will not normally be detectable and animals will not be affected. Any large metal objects will be connected to earth as a precautionary measure against shocks. This is current practice.

The electric field at ground level under this line would be similar to that under the lines in the existing 330 kV transmission system. This is due to the increase in conductor height necessary to maintain safe clearances.

73. 1.6 Illustrative Material

The following information is enclosed to illustrate and augment the material provided earlier in this Statement.

Figures:

Proposed Transmission Line from Bayswater Power Station to Mount Piper Power Station - Area Investigated for Alternative Routes. Local Government Areas traversed by at least one of the alternative routes discussed. Electricity Commission - Major Transmission Links between Divisions 14 Typical 500 000 V Double Circuit Suspension Tower.

Photographs:

Towers:

Newly erected 500 kV suspension tower in Eraring - Kemps Creek transmission line (still under construction and not yet strung).

Environmental Treatment of Equiçnent

Painting of towers - painted towers are difficult to detect against a forest background Dull conductor - the upper conductor has been treated to reduce reflection and so reduce its visibility Insulator colour - two colours are used to blend with different backgrounds - brown and grey

7)4• Environmental Treatment of Installations

Restricted clearing practices retain natural vegetation when viewed from the ground Restricted clearing practices reduce line visibility when viewed from the air Careful selection of road crossing point can reduce visual impact. Revegetation around the base of a transmission line tower in a woodland area Landscaping and beautification soften visual impact of 330 kV substation buildings and switchyard

Constraint Maps:

Bayswater—Mount Piper 500 kV Transmission Line - Alternative Routes Bayswater—Mount Piper 500 kV Transmission Line - Preferred Route.

Detail Maps:

Bayswater—Mount Piper 500 kV Transmission Line - Preferred Route. Sheets 1-5.

75. Merriwa

Muswellbrook Denrnan 0 1 U Liddell

Mudgee

Rylstone Kandos • Cessnock Putty•

0 Mount Piper t1and Bathurst• P Wallerawang Lithgow Kurrajong

POWER STATION (existing) o POWER STATION (proposed)

FIGURE 1. Proposed Transmission Line from Bayswater Power Station to Mount Piper Power Station Area Investigated for Alternative Routes. POWER STATION (existing)

o POWER STATION (proposed) 0 AREAS TRAVERSED

FIGURE 2. Local Government Areas Traversed by at least one of the Alternative Routes Discussed NORTHERN AREA Lidd'!l vswdter

N EWCASTLE AND CENTRAL rings COAST Va I AREA nmorah

WESTERN ouPiper A REAAIII ..--.- -

SYDNEY sq~/ AREA

SOUTH COAST AREA

LEGEND 500kV Line Proposed 500kV Line Under Construction or Subject of separate E.I.S. 330kV Line Existing SOUTH Double circuit line WEST AREA Major Power Station i Future Substation

FIGURE 3 Electricity Commission of New South Wales Major Transmission Links Between Areas FIGURE 4 Typical 500 000V Double Circuit Suspension Tower NEWLY ERECTED 500kV SUSPENSION TOWER IN ERARING- KEMPS CREEK TRANSMISSION LINE. (STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND NOT YET STRUNG) *

•

PAINTING OF TOWERS PAINTED TOWERS ARE DIFFICULT TO DETECT AGAINST A FOREST BACKGROUND Pl

- - - .- - .- w ;77N - -.-- -- - --- .r---

DULL CONDUCTOR THE UPPER CONDUCTOR HAS BEEN TREATED TO REDUCE REFLECTION AND SO REDUCE ITS VISIBILITY av

tj . - -

INSULATOR COLOUR TWO COLOURS ARE USED TO BLEND WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS - BROWN AND GREY I

RESTRICTED CLEARING PRACTICES RETAIN NATURAL VEGETATION WHEN VIEWED FROM THE GROUND :

4 gII 4 4

4 4

44 4 4 4 4 4

4 9 i 4 1 41 l

J f(V

:4f4Ot

RESTRICTED CLEARING PRACTICES REDUCE LINE VISIBILITY WHEN VIEWED FROM THE AIR 1/ Al

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WM ¶i

:1 IP, . Nov, T

CAREFUL SELECTION OF ROAD CROSSING POINT CAN REDUCE VISUAL IMPACT /1 1 ii Ii '7

10)

REVEGETATION AROUND THE BASE OF A TRANSMISSION TOWER IN A WOODLAND AREA • - -.

LANDSCAPING AND BEAUTIFICATION SOFTEN VISUAL IMPACT OF 330kV SUBSTATION BUILDINGS AND SWITCHYARD AMENDMENTS ORIG. ISSUE A DATE OVERLAPPING OF STRIP MAPS

SHEET I

1/I

BAYS WAY ER POWER STATION SITE

[it

JERRYS PLAINS 9033-I1-S MUSWELLBROOK 9033-I1 -N DENMAN 9033-I11-S SANDY HOLLOW 9033-I11-N MANOBALAI 9033-IV-S GUNGAL 8933-I1-N MERRIWA 8933-I -S B. MOUNT MISERY 8933-I11-N BYLONG 8933-I11-S GULGONG 8833-I1 & Ill MUDGEE 8832-I & IV RYLSIONE 8832-I1 & Ill -- SOFALA 8831-I & IV BEN BULLEN 8931-IV-S CULLEN BULLEN 8931-Ill-N PORTLAND 8831-I1-N LITHGOW 8931-I11-S MEADOW FLAT 8831-I1-S

i)\

MT. PIPER lcDI V_ POWER STATION - I <- SITE

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN THE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF N.S.W. TRANSMISSION DIVISION AJ j BAYSWATER TO MT. PIPER CHIEF ENGINEER -DATE 500kV TRANSMISSION LINE 178755 AL PREFERRED ROUTE INFORMATION SHEET Auth y/7 9ne\ / 7) 7 Merriwa!

Ulan Muawelibrook Sandy r Hollow N u b rj LEG END B ul gong e r 4 -ç U.- .. URBAN AREAS LIDDELL P.S. ç N D enma 0 BAYSWATER P.S. Bylong-. oU-.c F HISTORIC Kerrabee - BUILDINGS r

I J ? \Ly AIRFIELDS Singleton

LU zu POWER Mudgee ) STATIONS

ue COLLIERIES A L I ILJ 'N RADIOZT.V. TRANSMITTERS L:. Flyls one NATIONAL PARKS Cudgegong :j\I/ El Katido NATURE / RESERVES 1 / 10*1 1000, STATE FORESTS Ilford / Rutty TIMBER El RESERVES Hill En EXISTING I F1 300 kV LINES

(IenDavis - 300 kV LINE er SUBJECT OF Capertee // SEPARATE E.I.S. \ 500 kV LINE c SUBJECT OF I SEPARATE E.I.S. __ [ Bn Bullen -H ALTER NATIVE 500 kV LINES Cullen I I ullen MT. PIPER P.S. Bathurat Portland WALLERAWAI%~G P.S.

BAYSWATER -- MT. RIPER 500kV TRANSMISSION LINE

ALTERI\IATIVE ROUTES

KIL0IV1ETRE 0 10 20 30 40 50 LONGWORTH & MCKENZIE PTY. LIMITED DEN. J. 6. ______/( Scone

MerrAwa

- IVluswellbrook LEGEND

onq T \ URBAN AREAS N\ - - LIDDELL P.S. LAenrnan BAYSWATER P.S. (Iong \ / HISTORIC Ka r,ee El BUILDINGS F91 AIRFIELDS POWER dgee STATIONS i i COLLIERIES S L I ,'- RADIO/T.V. / / F7 TRANSMITTERS Ryistone I NATIONAL Cudgegong PARKS 2 j K4do NATURE RESERVES

STATE F ORE STS hf o rd Putty / ( r TIMBER RESERVES Hill En EXISTING 300 kV LINES k 1-i len Davis - 300 kV LINE I SUBJECT OF Capertee FF SEPARATE E.I.S. ' 500 kV LINE SUBJECT OF SEPARATE E.I.S. Ben Buhlen PREFERRED L 71 500kv LINE Cullen Sullen MT. RIPER P.S. '- Bthrst Portland I jv ALLERAWA

Lithc rrajong

BAYSWATER -- MT. RIPER 500kV TRANSMISSION LINE

PREFERRED ROUTE

KILOMETRE / 9 8 I 0 10 20 30 40 50 1= LONGWORTH S MCKENZIE PTV. LIMITED flew. I T •: 'i H If

0 1 2 3 L. 5 6 7 woo KILOMETRES

I THE PREFERRED ROUTE IS SHOWN AS A FULL LINE THE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES WITHIN A CROSS HATCHED BAND AND A SHADED BAND. Jft/ uj THESE BANDS INDICATE THE AREA THAT COULD BE AFFECTED "#J IF ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF BAYSWATER - MT. PIPER CHIEFENGINEEA - DATE LOCAL CONDJTIONS. (BUNGSI FENCES. 500 kV TRANSMISSION LINE 176679 B I LOCATION WHEREAS THE SHADED BAND INDICATES AN AREA OF PREFERRED ROUTE rATI I I I I

1A I

0 'I c9 I

I 4 Q

- 7~ ,P 2 01 23 4 5 6 7 r/ \ '12/ i7' r— 2 KILOMETRES 2 cflk 4 SCALE / I A SHEETS THE PREFERRED ROUTE IS SHOWN AS A FULL LINE THE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES Lu WITHIN A CROSS HATCHED BAND AND A SHADED BAND. •frJ. f. Py,ct THESE BANDS INDICATE THE AREA THAT COULD BE AFFECTED uJ (J CL 'U IF ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHIEF ENGINEE__DATE BAYSWATER - MT. PIPER m LOCAL 00NDmONSHBUILDINGS. FENCES, UNE SHADE ETC.) gL 500kV TRANSM ISSION LINE 176679 B I LOCATION WHEREAS THE SHADED BAND INDICATES AN AREA OF PREFERRED ROUTE ED LESS LIKELIHOOD. lAl I I I I I I F I

- '\ \ /1

/t x 4 Ix 0

IMAIIIIIIIIIIIII

mw 1w !qippDa p w- A wl' "I -

______jJ)" \a>7\•

THE PREFERRED ROUTE IS SHOWN AS A FULL LINE WITHIN A CROSS HATCHED BAND AND A SHADED BAND. THESE BANDS INDICATE THE AREA 40 --- THAT COULD BE AFFECTED IF ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO 0 EE 10 TAKE ACCOUNT OF LOCAL CONDITIONS (BUILDINGS,FENCE LINES. u a SHADE TREES,ETC.) THE CROSS HATCHED BAND INDICATES THE MOST co LIKELY LINE LOCATION WHEREAS THE SHADED BAND INDICATES AN z - X7 AREA OF LESS LIKELIHOOD. uum•••u•m