Powerlink’s Theodore Wind Farm Connection Project is subject to separate planning and environmental approvals from RWE’s wind farm development.

Powerlink is progressing the planning approval for this project through the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process, which is managed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP). On 21 November 2025, DSDIP provided endorsement for Powerlink to submit the MID Proposal Report. The MID Proposal Report was lodged with DSDIP in December 2025. Public consultation period on the report (MID-1225-0981) ends at 5pm on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

Additionally, Powerlink is seeking environmental approval for the project from the Federal Government. On 14 October 2025, Powerlink referred the project to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The public consultation period led by DCCEEW was open from 22 October 2025 to 5 November 2025. No submissions were received.

On 4 December 2025, DCCEEW determined that the project is not a ‘controlled action’ and therefore does not require any further assessment under the EPBC Act. The decision notice can be viewed online at epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/.

Subject to approvals being obtained, construction is expected to commence in Q4 2026 and be completed in late 2028

Theodore Wind Farm received State Development Approval in June 2025 and is continuing to work through Federal Government environmental approval (under the EPBC Act) and community consultation. The Theodore Wind Farm’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will have a planned capacity of 240 megawatts. It will be located near to the substation in the northern area of the wind farm site. 

Timelines and further information on Theodore Wind Farm activities and community benefits are available at theodorewindfarm.com.au or by emailing theodorewindfarm@rwe.com.

As part of the Theodore Wind Farm Connection Project, Powerlink is also seeking the necessary approvals for the planning, design and construction of a substation within the wind farm boundary, referred to as Castle Creek Substation. 

The name ‘Castle Creek’ was selected to recognise the Theodore township was originally known as Castle Creek. 

Selection of the Castle Creek Substation site was confirmed with key input provided from RWE to ensure the substation was appropriately integrated with RWE’s wind farm infrastructure. The same criteria used for corridor selection - social, environmental and economic values - were applied when selecting the new substation location. 

It is likely the new 275kV transmission towers will be up to 60m high, depending on specific-site conditions. This can include consideration of terrain, topography and land use within the final easement alignment, with shorter towers likely on higher ground and taller towers within lower points of the corridor.

Concrete tower pads (which the towers stand on) will typically be 40m x 40m. The distance, or span, between towers will likely be up to around 450m.

Wherever possible, Powerlink does not clear the entire easement but rather minimises vegetation removal to the amount required to ensure the safe and reliable operation of and access to the transmission line.

When designing the line, mitigation measures such as selective tower placement and spanning to decrease the amount of required vegetation clearing will be used, particularly in sensitive environments.

We know that effective prevention and management of identified weeds, pests and pathogens is a high priority for landholders. We comply with the Biosecurity Act 2014 around ‘restricted and prohibited matter’ and take all reasonable and practical actions to ensure our activities do not introduce or spread biosecurity matter, as per our general biosecurity obligation.

Our Land Access Protocol sets out an agreed approach for how and when we access a landholder's property. Understanding land use, property management and biosecurity plans is key to this process. More information can be found in our ‘Managing biosecurity on your property’ brochure at powerlink.com.au/brochures/managing-biosecurity-your-property.

Powerlink will work with landholders to identify biosecurity risks on each property. We discuss biosecurity and weed management with landholders during our initial meetings. This helps us understand any biosecurity risks and develop appropriate management measures to avoid spreading weeds, diseases and pathogens.

We value our long-term, working relationships with landholders, and maintain communication about biosecurity from a project’s planning phase through to construction, operation and maintenance.

Transmission projects have multiple levels of governance for managing biosecurity risks. A Biosecurity Management Plan is developed early and is part of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The EMP outlines Powerlink's key controls (e.g. biosecurity protocols and vegetation management strategies) to minimise the spread of biosecurity material as part of our activities.

The EMP forms part of the MID Proposal Report (see Chapter 25). Once approved, the EMP feeds into the Health, Safety and Environment Specification for contractors, to ensure on‐site workers are aware of obligations and commitments.

For ongoing easement access and maintenance, biosecurity requirements are documented in an Environmental Works Plan (EWP). The EWP is the main tool for identifying biosecurity risks at Powerlink sites on a property. It is developed in consultation with each landholder and displays all known biosecurity considerations for a location, and any access requirements or constraints.

Powerlink employees and contractors are made aware of biosecurity risks and are provided maps and training to ensure they understand procedures and obligations for site visits.

Powerlink conducts regular wash downs to reduce the risk of spreading weeds, as well as soil-borne pests and diseases, and has dedicated wash down facilities across our transmission network. Our people and contractors are trained to know when and how to conduct vehicle wash downs and comply with the following:

• complete the national standard training, ‘Inspect and clean machinery of plant, animal and soil material’ (AHCBIO201A), on projects or locations where there is a high biosecurity risk

• comply with Queensland Government inspection and wash down procedures

• only carry out wash downs at designated locations

• complete a Biosecurity Declaration Form after completing a wash down and before accessing the next property or biosecurity zone.