The project involves constructing a new, 87km long, double circuit 275kV transmission line between Calvale Substation (near Callide Power Station) and Calliope River Substation (near Gladstone).

Connecting the new 275kV high-capacity transmission line to our electricity network will require upgrading and expansion of both Calvale and Calliope River substations. Works at the Calvale Substation will include upgrading existing and installing new equipment within the existing substation site. At the Calliope River Substation, works will include installing a new transformer and expanding the 275kV and 132kV bays.

The project will reinforce electricity supply to the Gladstone region, and increase network capacity and reliability to service the growing renewable energy industry in this area.

For planning purposes, the project is split into five sections (A, B, C, D and E).

While the new line will mostly be constructed in existing spare easements, co-located beside existing 275kV transmission lines, there is around 16km between Bracewell and East End (Section C), and approximately 450m on the approach into the Calvale Substation (in Section A), where easement widening is required.

The new line will be mostly co-located with existing infrastructure, reducing social, environmental and economic impacts compared to constructing in a new location.

‘Co-location’ is when transmission lines are built side-by-side. In the right circumstances, it can have several benefits compared to separate corridors.  

This includes restricting vegetation clearing to one corridor, avoiding further vegetation fragmentation. A co-located corridor also occupies less land than separate corridors. For landholders, it means fewer access tracks are required, lowering biosecurity risks and limiting land-use impacts to one part of the property. 

In June 2024, Powerlink published a Draft Corridor Selection Report (Draft CSR) for the project.

Landholders, the community and other stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on the Draft CSR over a four-week consultation period. We reviewed and considered feedback, and prepared the Final Corridor Selection Report (Final CSR). The report confirmed the recommended corridor in the Draft CSR, including the widening in Section C to the north of the existing easement.

Key feedback themes from the Draft CSR consultation period, and our response, are summarised in the Final CSR and August 2024 Community Update. These documents are available under the Resources menu.

For safety and operational reasons, Powerlink must ensure clear access to and around our transmission lines. We try to minimise environmental impacts and only remove vegetation when absolutely necessary. Any impacts must be managed in accordance with state and federal legislation. 

Environmental approvals are required for this project to appropriately manage vegetation clearing along the alignment. The project extends through different environments and terrain, mostly comprising rural land used for grazing. 

However, it will also traverse some areas of State Forest and Conservation Park, and Calliope River Substation is located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The planning and environmental approvals process is currently underway through the relevant Australian and Queensland Government authorities.

We understand that biosecurity is a priority for the Banana Shire and Gladstone communities. We take biosecurity seriously and have processes in place to avoid spreading weeds, pathogens and diseases between properties or introducing new biosecurity material from outside the local bioregion.  

Powerlink has a responsibility to minimise the risk of our activities introducing pest animals, weeds and animal and plant diseases, on private or public land. The Biosecurity Act 2014 requires everyone to minimise risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a ‘general biosecurity obligation’.

Powerlink complies with the Biosecurity Act and takes action to ensure our activities do not introduce or spread weeds, pathogens and diseases.

Find out more about Powerlink’s systems and processes for managing biosecurity risk, including avoiding the spread of weeds.