Powerlink undertakes regular inspections of our transmission network to monitor its condition and identify issues such as vegetation that can impact the reliability of power supply.

If not managed appropriately, some vegetation can be a hazard to our network and damage critical infrastructure, affect power supply and impact easement clearance zones.

Inspections of the underground cables, easement and neighbouring Bayview Heights Transition Station have identified significant issues with the surrounding vegetation. This includes species with intrusive root systems encroaching on the underground cables.

Selected tree removal and vegetation management is required along the easement to manage risks to the underground cables and ensure the continued secure supply of power to the Cairns region.

A local, qualified arborist and Powerlink electrical engineers have assessed the vegetation within a 10m zone either side of the underground cables. The assessments considered:

• species type

• tree trunk diameter

• if the species have intrusive root systems able to cause damage to critical infrastructure

• tree protection zones

• easement clearance zones.

Due to the extent of vegetation along the easement and its social and environmental value, a site-specific clearing approach has been developed for the project. The approach involves keeping as much existing vegetation as possible, while managing risks to the underground cables.

An arborist and fauna spotter will be on-site prior to and during the tree felling works.

The arborist will ensure compliance with the clearing plans and the fauna spotter will remove and manage any impacted fauna from the site to a safe, nearby habitat outside of the clearing limits.

Powerlink is committed to restoring the easement while maintaining required safety clearances for the underground cables and easement. We are working with Cairns Regional Council to appropriately plan for the restoration of the easement, including installing new amenities.

Restoration works involve replanting along the easement with compatible species that will not impact on the underground cables or the easement in their mature state. Approximately 24,000 grasses and plants will be locally propagated from local provenance seed and cuttings.

The vegetation removal works will involve grinding tree stumps near the concrete footpath to address trip hazards and mulching all removed vegetation.

The majority of tree stumps will be kept along the easement to manage erosion along the creek bank and provide stabilisation for the remaining trees. Wherever possible, the mulch will be used as part of the restoration works.

Tree stumps will be cut as close to the natural ground line as practical and the remaining stump will be treated with herbicide to ensure the remnant root system does not pose a future threat to the integrity of the underground cables.

We recognise removing trees will have visual and amenity impacts for residents of the Forest Gardens Estate, and the wider community.

Landscape drawings and visual materials have been prepared for different viewpoints along the easement to show what the area will look like after the vegetation management and restoration works are completed.

These visuals are available under the ‘Resources’ section on this page.

In June 2024, we sought feedback from residents and the local community on the vegetation removal works via:

• easement vegetation management surveys

• door-knocking residents

• community information drop-in sessions at Mount Sheridan Plaza

• enquiries to the project email and phone.

The key feedback areas included:

• loss of shade

• disappointment about trees being removed

• impacts to the walking path along Crowleys Creek

• importance of a reliable and secure electricity supply in the Cairns region

• concerns with some of the compatible species types proposed for the easement

• preference for option one vegetation management approach

• mixed support for new amenities (e.g. shade structures and seating) due to concerns with undesirable behaviours

• support for water bubblers, with dog bowls

The feedback received confirmed a preference for option one which involved removing most of the vegetation in 2024 and undertaking progressive restoration works.

In October 2024, we sought feedback on proposed amenities for the walking path and easement via:

• emails

• resident surveys

• targeted door-knocking of neighbouring residents

• community information drop-in sessions

The key areas of feedback included:

• opposition to the proposed shelters near Alpinia Terrace and Matisia Close due to their proximity to homes

• ongoing concerns that new amenities will contribute to undesirable behaviours in the area

• mixed feedback about the use of existing seats along the walking path

• support for additional shade trees being planted, where possible

• support for bench seats and water bubblers with dog bowls at intervals along the walking path to provide respite for all users.

Following community feedback, we have been working with Cairns Regional Council to finalise the easement restoration play by:

• removing the proposed shelters near Alpinia Terrace and Matisia Close

• confirming the proposed shelter, bench seat and water bubbler with dog bowl near Blueberry Close will proceed

• identifying indicative locations for new shade trees, bench seats and water bubblers with dog bowls

• confirming existing seating to be updated or removed.

We are also investigating options for additional bench seats and shade trees along the easement between:

• Blueberry Close and Scarlet Close

• Foxtail Street and Matisia Close.

The new amenities will be installed progressively from 2025 starting in locations that do not require access for the cable joint bay refurbishment works or further tree removal.

More information will be provided to residents and the local community before these works start.

Joint bays are used to join sections of the underground cable together. Essential refurbishment works are needed at two joint bay sites located within Powerlink’s easement, adjacent to Alpinia Terrace and Amazon Close in the Forest Gardens Estate.

The refurbishment works on the joint bays will be undertaken during planned network outages in 2025 and will not result in any impacts to electricity supply.

As the joint bays are located underground, the area above will be established as a construction site. This will involve installing fencing, vegetation clearing, excavation of the joint bays and setting up equipment in preparation for the refurbishment works. Security will be present outside of work hours.

These planned refurbishment works will not impact power supply.

We do not need to access residential private properties to complete the refurbishment or vegetation management works.

Local residents may notice an increase in traffic on the roads leading to access points for the easement and the joint bays situated within the Forest Gardens Estate in Mount Sheridan.

Local traffic and pedestrian management plans will be in place to maintain safety and access for residents and community members during the works.

We will continue to keep local residents updated about the works happening near them and what to expect.

Our project team will continue to provide local residents with regular updates, and you will be notified before any works start in your local area.

We will be door-knocking residents adjoining the easement, doing letterbox drops, putting up signage and providing information on our project website powerlink.com.au/bayviewheightswhiterock.

You can also contact us on 07 4034 7600 or fnqprojects@powerlink.com.au.

Powerlink operates and maintains the transmission network that transports electricity over long distances at high voltages, ensuring it gets from power generators to local electricity distributors. Ergon Energy is regional Queensland’s electricity distribution network provider.