Welcome to our first Central Queensland Transmission Update for 2026.

It was a busy end to 2025 with community engagement occurring on several projects across the region as part of planning and environmental approvals. Lodging our applications for these approvals is a culmination of several years of engagement, field and desktop studies, and engineering design.

The Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap recognises the important role Central Queensland and Gladstone play in the state’s power system and economy more broadly. As demand for energy increases and generation technology diversifies, Powerlink’s aim is to ensure we can continue to provide safe, secure and reliable energy, while supporting industry and economic growth across the region.

Our program of reinforcement works around Gladstone includes new high-capacity transmission lines, a new 275kV substation at Gladstone West, and synchronous condensers to maintain system strength. We expect to be able to share an update on the proposed locations for synchronous condensers with the community in the near future.

Read more about system strength and synchronous condensers in this update.

This year will be another busy year for Powerlink in Central Queensland. Initial stages of our Gladstone reinforcement projects should finalise their planning and environmental approvals, with construction works expected to begin from mid-2026.

Our other established projects will continue progressing their on-site studies and reporting. As new projects emerge, we will make sure we are out there early sharing information and engaging with communities and our stakeholders.

Thank you for taking the time to read our update.

Ian Lowry
Executive General Manager Major Projects

Powerlink’s Early Careers Team have been visiting local high schools to talk about the important role of transmission in the energy supply chain and careers at Powerlink, including our apprentice programs offered locally.

John from Powerlink is pictured here speaking to students at Calliope State High School.

Powerlink has proudly welcomed 22 new apprentices in 2026 across Gladstone, Townsville and Brisbane.

They will spend the next four years developing skills in either electrical, communications and control systems, or transmission lines, building their skills and experience to become future technical leaders.

Visit powerlink.com.au/apprenticeships to register your interest.

Pictured here are Tasmyn, Adina, Isaac and Dallas, our newest Gladstone-based apprentices.

The successful 2025 community grant recipients have been progressing their projects and Powerlink’s local Community Relations Advisors, Eliza and Alison, have been making visits to see the new equipment in action.

Eliza is pictured below with Meg from Clarke Creek Campdraft, who received funding for a new commercial ice machine for their annual event and use throughout the year. Alison visited Gladstone Men’s Shed (pictured with John), who have invested in a scanner for their 3D printer to assist with repairs and printing replacement parts.

Powerlink team members attended the Advance Rockhampton Indigenous Business Month Celebration, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Indigenous Business Network.

Kallan and Carlin from Powerlink (centre) are pictured with representatives from On Country Business (left), Deadly Merchandise and Rockhampton Driving School (right).

Transmission network reinforcement works

Calvale to Calliope River Transmission Line Reinforcement Project

Planning and environmental approvals are progressing. Community engagement on the project’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) Proposal Report was undertaken in late 2025. The consultation process was initiated and managed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP), and seven submissions were received. Submissions identified themes around land access, environmental considerations, infrastructure siting, amenity impacts and the importance of timely project delivery.

Powerlink will consider and respond to this feedback as part of finalising the MID Proposal Report. The report will then be submitted to DSDIP and the Planning Minister for consideration and final decision.

This project also needs approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Consultation on the draft Public Environment Report opened on 12 February and closed on 11 March 2026. We will provide an update on feedback received in our next project newsletter.

Tendering for construction

We are in the final stages of appointing principal contractors to deliver the initial access and clearing works and main construction works for this project. We expect to announce the successful contractors by mid-2026, subject to project approvals.

We have been actively building our Central Queensland Supplier Register since early 2025 and have seen strong engagement from local businesses. Around 600 businesses have registered their interest so far, with more than one third coming from the local area. This has provided valuable insight into local skills and services and where they can support project delivery. Details from the Supplier Register have been shared with tendering contractors to support their submissions and help boost local and Indigenous participation.

Bouldercombe to Larcom Creek Transmission Line Reinforcement Project

Powerlink is working with Federal and State government departments to progress our planning and environmental approvals pathway.

In October 2025, Powerlink released two reports for community engagement relating to the proposed corridor for this project. You can find out more about feedback themes and our response in the February 2026 project community update, available on our online Community Hub

Generator connection projects

Community engagement on the project’s MID Proposal Report ran from late November 2025 to mid-January 2026. Six submissions were received with feedback around visual impacts, biosecurity, vegetation management and land use. We are now finalising the report to include a response to feedback. We expect to have an outcome on the planning approval process later this year.

This project was referred to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in September 2025 for assessment under the EPBC Act. It was determined not to be a ‘Controlled Action’ and does not require further assessment under the EPBC Act.

The MID consultation period for this project opened in February 2026 and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 24 March 2026. The MID Proposal Report can be viewed online at DSDIP’s website and in our Community Hub. A printed copy is also available to view at Theodore Library.

Tendering for design and construction

As the Banana Range and Theodore Wind Farm Connection Projects progress with their planning and environmental approval processes, we are looking ahead to construction.

We are currently engaging with our experienced supplier panel to appoint a contractor for this highly specialised design and construction work.

Providing opportunities for local and First Nations workers and businesses is important to Powerlink. Subject to project approvals, we will work closely with our appointed contractor to ensure this remains a focus throughout project delivery.

Suppliers can register their interest through Powerlink’s ICN Gateway. Once a business has completed the ICN Gateway registration and registered their interest, the application and its details will form part of Powerlink's Central Queensland Supplier Register.

Why are we focused on system strength?

Queensland’s electricity has historically been generated by large coal-fired, gas-fired and hydroelectric power stations. These power stations produce energy and stabilise the electricity network through maintaining voltage control and providing system strength.

As different energy generation technologies connect to the electricity network, stability must instead come from a range of other sources, including synchronous condensers.

Synchronous condensers update

Powerlink is preparing to invest in and install four synchronous condensers to meet immediate system strength requirements. Investigations into potential locations are underway.

Choosing locations for synchronous condensers is complex. There are many technical factors that determine where a synchronous condenser will have the most impact. This includes the network need, power flows, proximity to generators and substations, and system strength gaps. In addition to technical factors, it’s important that we take into account social, environmental and economic considerations.

We expect to share an update on our plans in the near future.