COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Northern Link Project July 2014

The Northern Project involves setting up six new telecommunications sites to connect communication systems between TransGrid’s Dumaresq Switching Station near Dumaresq Valley through to an existing telecommunications pole in South Gundurimba.

TransGrid is building a new connection from Dumaresq Valley through to South Dumaresq Build a new 60m tower Gundurimba. The new telecommunication link is Switching Station needed to meet requirements set by the Australian Energy Market Operator and to ensure the reliability Build a new 35m of electricity supply to Northern New South Wales. Mount Hallam pole and associated telecommunications shelter TransGrid uses Telecommunications to manage transmission lines remotely and ensure Install antennae on existing the safety and security of the line. The new sites are Mount Mackenzie tower and build a new highlighted on the map below and include the build telecommunications shelter of four new poles and the installation of additional Build a new 35m antennae on existing infrastructure. Girard State Forest pole and associated telecommunications shelter TransGrid has recently appointed a contractor to carry out design and construction for this project. Build a new 15m Simpkins Creek Construction will take place over the next 12 months pole and associated (Richmond Range Road) and involves a number of stages including laying telecommunications shelter foundations, setting up equipment shelters, the installation of poles and remediation work. Over Parrots Nest Install antennae on existing pole the page you can see our project timeline.

NIMBIN NORTHERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS KYOGLE LINK PROJECT STANTHORPE A15 LISMORE GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK 6 - Parrots Nest 5 - Simpkins Creek BALD ROCK B60 NATIONAL PARK CASINO B60 B60

4 - Girard State Forest TENTERFIELD

2 - Mount Hallam B60 B91

3 - Mount Mackenzie

1 - Dumaresq Switching Station WASHPOOL A15 NATIONAL PARK TORRINGTON STATE RECREATION AREA

A1 Project timeline

Period Substations

>> Environmental Impact Assessment Completed to date >> Detailed project design and tender process >> Contractor appointed

>> Site investigations August 2014 – October 2014 >> Preparation of equipment

>> Materials delivered to site >> Poles erected November 2014 – January 2014 >> Antennae connected >> Foundations laid and shelters set up

>> Commissioning communications shelter February 2014 – June 2015 >> Testing and Commissioning >> Reinstate landscape

July 2015 >> Project Completion

* Please note this timeline is a guideline only and is subject to change.

Tenterfield Substation to benefit from new communication technology

TransGrid will also be upgrading the at the Tenterfield Substation off Bullus Drive to microwave communications. The current system communicates using “power line carrier” technology, an older system that cannot support modern remote management and monitoring methods and offers limited functionality.

This work is in the early stages of planning however it is intended to be completed at the same time as the Northern Telecommunications Link Project. There are a number of efficiencies and cost savings by undertaking this work concurrently.

The project involves the installation of a new 10 – 15 metre pole with one within the existing Tenterfield substation. This telecommunications pole will link to the new Mount Mackenzie telecommunications site and back to our central monitoring station in Sydney. The project is in the early scoping phase and plans are now being finalised. Construction is expected to commence in mid to late 2015.

For more information about TransGrid and work in your area you can visit our website www.transgrid.com.au.

Alternatively, please contact our Community Relations team on 1800 222 537 or [email protected].