Powerlink considers ways to minimise environmental impacts at every stage of a project, from early planning, through design, construction and after construction.

Examples of this are provided below. You can also download our Environmental Management fact sheet to find out more.

During early planning

Powerlink is committed to finding ways to reduce the need for vegetation clearing. Avoiding impacts is best achieved through early planning and during the site selection and design phases. An example of this is the decision to construct the project using existing spare easements where possible, co-located beside existing transmission infrastructure.

This can have several benefits compared to building and operating separate corridors, including restricting vegetation clearing to one corridor, avoiding further vegetation fragmentation.

During design

There are several ways to minimise impacts during engineering design. For example, positioning tower footings so lines span over sensitive areas or obstacles. This can reduce the need for vegetation clearing and avoid impacts on culturally or environmentally sensitive areas.

Powerlink’s design team has carefully considered the placement of infrastructure. This involved examining each tower pad and span individually. This included using aerial LiDAR surveying and software modelling to identify where clearing would be needed, and consider adjustments to the design if significant vegetation impacts were identified.

Construction

Subject to planning and environmental approvals, construction will happen in stages, starting with clearing and access, foundations, tower erecting and stringing.

Before construction starts, the work area and a surrounding buffer will be surveyed to identify any threatened plant species. If found, their locations and numbers will be recorded. If located outside the area of direct impact, they will be marked and protected as much as possible during construction.

Qualified wildlife spotters will carry out pre-clearance surveys and always be present on-site during clearing, to protect and relocate wildlife. They will also inspect habitat features (like hollow trees and rocks) before felling.

Reinstatement works will occur progressively as construction progresses. Final reinstatement will take several months to complete after construction completion. Areas that are needed for ongoing operational use are not usually reinstated.

The type of reinstatement works will depend on the surrounding landscape, which varies along the alignment. The short-term goal of reinstatement is to stabilise soils to provide a suitable environment for vegetation growth and to prevent erosion.