Snowy 2.0 - Transmission Connection

The transmission line is in contravention to the KNP plan of 2006 which clearly states any further transmission lines be placed underground. The EIS statements make the point that this project overrides any previous environmental requirements because it is deemed a critical infrastructure state project. Using the legislative convenience of overriding previous protection, deemed at that time as critical to protecting the values of the KNP is totally irresponsible to future generations. There is very little written about the visual intrusion of the transmission line and yet it is most likely the major impact on an area that is remote and well on the way to achieving wilderness values after the healing of the scars of the mining days and Snowy Hydro works. The visual impact of the massive transmission lines will never be mitigated. The Snowy 2.0 project appears to have an unlimited budget as costs just continue to spiral and so there should be no impediment to placing the lines underground. The technical, engineering ability abounds and so there is no reason for the lines to be above ground, except to save money. The values of the area as a National Park should override the perceived budgetary constraints.

I do not support the construction of above-ground power transmission lines through Kosciuszko National Park for the Snowy 2.0 project. I oppose the clearing of approximately 130 ha of native vegetation from within Kosciuszko National Park which has been proposed as part of the above-ground transmission line construction. Construction of an underground transmission connection is the only viable option to minimise damage to this important conservation estate. I support the underground transmission option.
Regards, Jessica Scott.

To whom it may concern,

I hold significant concerns on the environmental impact of this project.
On brief glance of the Environmental Impact Statement, I see a few items that I would like to bring attention to.

Firstly, under table 7.5, it shows that Snow Gum will be the third largest cleared species of tree. My concern is that Snow Gums are currently being threatened by the native longhorn beetle, with accelerated die back occurring in alpine areas. With additional clearing of land, I believe this will exaggerate the decline of these already threatened trees and will further weaken the fragile ecosystem. Following the catastrophic 2019/2020 bushfires, I believe our endangered alpine ecosystems need more due attention and evaluation prior to clearing further land.

Secondly, under table 6.2, I am of strong belief necessary consultation with key stakeholders has not taken place. I have asked various committee members of one of your stated community groups what correspondence occurred. One member informed me they were unaware of any consultation, and that there was no mention in their minutes, and the other member informed me they had a phone call, which they advised they could not take at that time and a phone call at a later time would ensure. I am told they never heard back or received a subsequent phone call or correspondence. Quite interestingly, despite this above information and the little knowledge of this project, this community group is listed as a key stakeholder. This makes me doubt whether other stakeholders were indeed consulted, and I feel it fair that that correspondence and outcomes be shared publicly before any further action is taken.

Thirdly, I am concerned that this project will delay the opening of the Elliott Way, which has been shut for a significant period of time under the pretence of “bushfire damage”, when in reality it is common knowledge it is due to Snowy 2.0. This closure amongst others in the area is crippling our small communities, and a delay will hurt us further. This ties back into my doubts whether community groups were adequately consulted in the first place.

Thank you for providing the opportunity to provide feedback. I would love to see more community engagement with this little known project before further action is taken.

I make this submission to express my strong objection to any new overhead transmission lines through national parks, including Kosciuszko National Park.
As a resident of south East NSW Kosciuszko National Park is part of my back yard. I visit regularly with my family, to holiday, to walk and enjoy the high country, to connect with nature. Even when just driving through we always stop to appreciate the park and support the small towns.
I am deeply troubled by the idea of over head power lines through this area for two main reasons, environmental destruction and visual impacts.
The last major transmission line to be constructed in a NSW National Park was in the 1970’s.
Since 2006, the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (POM) has required that any additional transmission lines in the Park be located underground.
Overhead transmission lines are no longer acceptable in environmentally sensitive locations such as national parks. Underground cables have less impact, last longer and are a far better option.
It is outrageous that the NSW Government is looking to overturn this very reasonable POM policy so that TransGrid and Snowy Hydro Corporation can use a cheaper, outmoded and environmentally destructive option.

One square kilometre of national park will be permanently cleared, decimating the habitat of threatened species such as Yellow bellied glider, Squirrel Glider, Eastern Pygmy Possum, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Powerful Owl, Masked Owl and the Boorolong Frog.
If such species aren’t safe in a national park where can they possibly survive?

The proposed overhead lines are far more visually intrusive than any of the existing single-circuit lines in the Park, with two sets of massive 75-metre-high towers traversing eight kilometres of Kosciuszko over a cleared swathe up to 200 metres wide. The towers and lines will be visible over an astonishing 250 square kilometres of wilderness.

These environmental and visual impacts are unacceptable in my view and I call on you to amend the plans to install under ground lines instead.

If the over head lines are installed it will certainly impact on my visitation of the area.

I live in a small village called Holmesville in Lake Macquarie. To the south of my residence is the Killingworth Distribution Centre Sub-station. This electrical centre receives and transmits Transgrid and Ausgrid power lines throughout the lower Hunter Valley to local cities and industrial facilities. One of the high usage industries is the Tomago Aluminium refinery.
When you look to the compass points about Holmesville the bushland is scarred with large voids of timber missing under the transmission lines. This has led to a large number of "off-road tracks" which not only scar the grass under the power lines but in most cases lead to large areas of eroded tracks which contribute to the despoiling of the small water courses in and around the power lines.
Despite my continued complaints over many years both Ausgrid and Transgrid continue to virtually ignore the environmental damage and shrug their hands indicating that stopping off-road vehicles is all too difficult and impossible to stop.
So both of these powerline companies I believe do not meet their invironmental obligations for their easements at all.
Now the EIS suggests that it will be OK to clear out 9-10 kilometres under high tension powerlines in Kosciosko Nature Park. Given the abject failure to protect the easements near my residence why should I believe that they can do any better in a more remote location. I DO NOT !
Why is it that our precious environment has to be damaged to allow powerlines which are aimed at protecting the environment by transmitting renewable energy? Clearly its time that we started to follow best practice across scenic areas and place the lines underground.
I invite the commissioners to come to the Killingworth distribution centre and observe the environmental damage under the Transgrid and Ausgrid lines.
Do you really want more of the same???

Please see attached Submission

Please see attachment

2021 Objection to Snowy transmission lin...
SUB-17084919 | Submission Attachment | Margery Street

Please see attached submission on the Snowy 2.0 Transmission Connection Project from the NSW Nature Conservation Council.

I object to the proposal by Transgrid for the Transmission Line connections to service the Snowy 2.00.Pumped Hydro Scheme.

My objection is based on the adverse impacts on the integrity of Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) in the short and the long term.

I submit this objection as an individual, but informed through many years of involvement with and appreciation of nature, and the role of national parks, including as a former member of the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Regional Advisory Committee for the Snowy area; a former member of the NPWS Regional Advisory Council, and a past President of the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA). I have also attended two briefings provided by Snowy Hydro on the Snowy 2.00 scheme, one being for environmental stakeholders in May 2018 at which session I, with others, made it very clear that we were not happy about the proposal and that at the very least the requisite EIS should address the concept. as a whole, including essential ancillary development like power transmission services.

Sadly I anticipate that the Snowy 2.00 scheme will prove to be not only environmentally damaging but also an economic white elephant.

The current draft EIS for just one aspect of the Snowy 2.00 project has the advantage for Transgrid that it paves the way for future overhead powerline development in areas protected for their natural and scenic values in so far as it is stated that the Plan of Management (PoM) for KNP will be amended to remove the current provision requiring that all future transmission lines be undergrounded. This is unconscionable, and treats the longstanding Plan of Management (PoM) process under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, that provides for extensive preparation and community comment as if dispensable and of no importance.

While the draft EIS dismisses undergrounding, documentation compiled by the NPA makes it clear that it is feasible; undergrounding is used elsewhere; and that in the long run there are real benefits with respect to bushfire risk in this highly fire-prone region.
A statement in the draft EIS foreshadows a future interest in the ‘Hume Connection’ even though this is outside the current draft EIS; furthermore Snowy Hydro referred (in the May 2018 meeting cited above) to a coming need to replace existing older lines, thus making the possibly of new and upgraded above ground transmission lines a matter of great concern to all who care about protecting the intrinsic values of KNP and national parks generally.

I appreciate that those determining the outcome of this EIS are being asked to make a decision on just one of a complex scheme, parts of which have already been given the nod and are already in development. At the very least I urge that stringent conditions be placed on any approval that may be granted, ensuring inter alia that undergrounding requirements as per the KNP PoM are upheld.

Submission attached.

BCD & NPWS response attached

Dubbo Environment Group consists of 17 members and over 400 social media and newsletter followers who advocate for the protection of our fragile natural environment. We urge the Snowy 2.0 Transmissions Grid to use underground cables rather than overhead lines. Underground cables have far lower environmental impacts, are less vulnerable to fires and storms, are recognised as international best practice for environmentally sensitive sites, and avoid setting a terrible precedent for future connections through our precious national park.
Land clearing in New South Wales rose by more than 50% in 2016-17, the year before the introduction of native vegetation laws that make deforestation easier.
Clearing from forestry increased from 21,800 hectares in 2015-16 to 33,500 hectares in 2016-17.
Total clearing, excluding deforestation from fire, rose from 39,000 hectares in 2015-16 to 59,700 hectares.

With the fires of 2019-20, millions of hectares of land have burned in NSW and an estimated 8,000 koalas have died.

In 2015, WWF’s Saving Forests at Risk analysis identified 11 global deforestation fronts including eastern Australia. In January 2021, WWF names eastern Australia among 24 global deforestation fronts – the only developed nation on the list.

We believe that any National Park remaining in NSW should be regarded as a rare and precious environmental resource. It should be protected at all costs.

Yours Faithfully,
Margaret McDonald (President , Dubbo Environment Group)

Secretary/CEO of Dept.
Dear Sir/Madam
I registered as an account holder but it is still irrational as to why ?
Notwithstanding I could not get past point where I said no to having my name & address plastered for all scammers to see.
Please note my attempt to make a submission & note the okay for my Submission to be completed after your stated date of today.
Note also a strong objection to the closure date being on a holiday, that is EASTER MONDAY.
There are many shades of tyrannical East Germany is this administration of such a straight forward submission.

Submission attached

Please find attached a submission covering letter from the National Parks Association of NSW. We intend to follow this covering letter with additional information by no later than 8 April 2021

I think it is a terrible thing that after so many years the government has decided to put overhead cables through the Kosciuszko National Park.. Things are much worse for our vanishing wildlife now than they were 50 years ago.. Just imagine if there were still Tasmanian Tigers.. No one in power seemed to care about them.. As is so about so much of our wildlife.. When it is gone it will never return.. Please put the cables underground and leave something for birds and animals.

Please find attached my objection to this project.

I completely object to Hume Link on the following grounds :-

This is not in the public interest at all!
Neither can this truthfully be classed as Critical State Significant Infrastructure as it supports the extremely disadvantage solar/wind/battery storage farce at great expense to Australians & our environment, for no benefit whatsoever, when reliable, efficient, economical, Australian benefiting base-load power is vital today for Australia's energy independence & future economic prosperity.

The need for Hume Link - to incorporate 'renewable' energy & Snowy 2.0 into the existing transmission network -
*Is based on totally fraudulent, confected claims of clean, green, low emission, sustainable solar/wind/battery energy.
*It harms & interferes with efficient, reliable transmission.
*Does not provide improved security & reliability of the NEM.
*Does not lower costs for consumers - as false cost benefit analysis has been used from benefiting Cheung Kong Con investors Lazards.

NSW State Energy & Environment Minister Matt Kean has never presented the modelling for his diabolical 100% renewaBULL energy scam to the NSW State Parliament to scrutinise which is a failure of due process.
The NSW Treasury has never seen this energy modelling which is completely inappropriate & must be remedied.
It is extremely odd that Gladys Berejiklian & Treasurer Dominic Perrottet do not care at all about this extraordinary, astronomically expensive fudgery!

Given Matt Kean's conflict of interest with his Liberal moderate cabal of multiple connections - with beneficiaries to his solar/wind/battery energy rort & the further appointment of the [redacted] Malcolm Turnbull - to Chair 'Net Zero Emissions & Clean Energy Board,' this shows a complete disregard for the truth, transparency, due process & the welfare of all NSW residents - who are subject to this web of deceit, costly transition & foolish inferior, unreliable transmission infrastructure monstrosity nightmare!
Even ex-AEMO boss Audrey Zibelman with her Green New Deal - ideological, global energy, 'Great Reset' fantasy - predicted a decade of blackouts for Australia in order to sort this hodge podge system out!
Who would be this stupid & purposely harm Australia in this foolish manner?!

The beneficiaries of this transmission infrastructure, large-scale solar/wind & battery storage are predominantly off-shore, shonky, money hungry - subsidy grabbing, proven non-compliant developers, inveigled gullible host landholders & other investors/promoters engaged in the rort.

Snowy 2.0 is nothing but a massive hoax, a total cost disaster & a completely inefficient energy storage facility - wasting mass energy pumping water 27 kms up hill! No wonder, with conflicted Lazard's as advisors!

At this time when the Chinese Communist Party are increasing their hostilities & an attack on Taiwan is reported to be highly likely in a few years, it is beyond words how absolutely stupid it would be for Australia to enable any of our critical energy infrastructure to be in Chinese Government State control or private Chinese company control - as both are subject to the CCP rules of allegiance. They are in no way on Australia's side!
Hume Link is proposed to connect with the proposed 'Project Energy Connect' (emanating from Electra Net's Robertstown S.A substation) at Wagga Wagga - effectively making it a renewaBULL energy freeway to the Chinese Yuan via the State Grid Corporation of China (Electra Net) through to the Eastern Seaboard.
This is an astronomical, nonsensical national security threat that cannot be allowed to proceed.
No democratic Government with any sense would allow such a diabolical situation to be realised.

Whilst Transgrid are in control of the NSW section of the proposed Project Energy Connect - they are heavily influenced by Vice Chairman Rick Francis - who is a Director of Cheung Kong Con's S.A Power Networks, Cheung Kong Con's Victoria Power Networks & Cheung Kong Con's Spark Infrastructure. The fantasy propaganda from Rick Francis regarding his large-scale solar electricity generating works at Bomen/Eunony Valley - Wagga Wagga has proven to be completely contrary to his claims of clean, green, zero emissions & sustainable energy. Bomen Solar is nothing but a scandalous environmental vandal, denuding the landscape, totally destroying precious ecology & habitat, causing an EPA proven visual amenity nightmare for local residents, creating a massive weed infestation & water run-off problem for all surrounding food producers, causing reduced production & healthy life issues for impacted organisms on our quality food resource land from Bomen Solar's 'Heat Island Effect' (the impact of which the DPIE & IPCN have both failed to provide accurate reporting on - instead accepting dodgy, false claims from developers) & presenting surrounding landholders, residents & our productive district with toxic heavy-metal leachate contamination risk at any moment - from hail fractured, damaged, inferior, burnt or aged mass PV Solar panels - containing carcinogenic cadmium, chromium & toxic lead, etc.
Given carcinogenic cadmium is also proven to wash from intact panels, it is impossible to guarantee that food producers subject to these toxic PV Solar electricity generating works will not be contaminated throughout NSW.

NSW DPIE [redacted] - they are just trusting the dodgy developers!
Also shockingly, there is no NSW State or Federal body who has addressed at all the safety of our vital rural food staple supplies - that are now subject to ever increasing toxic PV.
This includes supply for your Uncle Toby's Oats, Sanitarium Weetbix, GOODROP Riverina Oils, SunRice products, lupins, chick peas, lentils, prime lamb, etc.
Numerous Victorian potato growers for McCain Foods are now having their viability & productivity threatened by the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project transporting renewaBULL energy from Bulgana to Melbourne - refusing to build underground.

It is completely disingenuous to claim that consumers will benefit from lower prices if built above ground. It doesn't matter where this stupid web of deceit is situated, we can guarantee that everyday electricity consumers throughout Australia are being ripped off by this fraudulent renewaBULL scam, senseless transmission invasion & ruination of rural Australia for nothing but a false ideology that has only severe disadvantage & detrimental results for Australia.
If this is the DPIE's 'New Generation Assets' then their obviously [redacted], intentional, negligent destruction is a nonsense!
Transgrid have already applied for regulatory changes in order to pass on their transmission cost blowouts to NSW electricity consumers!


There is a huge amount of evidence to prove that this renewaBULL Con is fraught with danger, from non-compliant construction of large-scale solar, which presents a life threatening short risk & seriously increased fire risk. A terrifying thought for districts who are victims of the DPIE & IPCN 's solar 'dump' approvals.

It is an absolute disgrace that Matt Kean is throwing buckets of NSW tax payer's money at Chinese companies & other dodgy off-shore companies to control mass solar/wind energy & battery storage works to the detriment of NSW consumers, vast areas of rural Australia, including our irreplaceable arable land, ruining beautiful communities & precious natural environments - now presenting so many with destructive environmental, visual amenity nightmares & hazardous Electro Magnetic Radiation from massive, obnoxious transmission towers.

We have experienced years of mistreatment & neglect by the DPIE, IPCN, solar/wind/battery fraudsters & Transgrid - who have constantly failed dismally with their consultation processes, treating rural folk as non-existent.
The recent expansion of powers for the Wind Commissioner to aid this dilemma are a nonsense, as this body has no power & is one sided - beholden to the renewaBULL rort.
Conditions are as always never monitored, never enforced or even possible to enforce - as proven by the stupidity of the Bomen Solar approval & the complete impossibility to ever eliminate its obnoxious visual amenity nightmare.
How will the land/water toxic contamination from PV ever be addressed & remedied throughout NSW when it is such a serious or irreversible risk? And where will the irreplaceable, arable land come from when only 6% or less of Australia is arable land?
Where will your vital food staples come from when the most reliable food producing areas have been purposely targeted by NSW DPIE?

Hume Link & the whole renewaBULL scam defies all the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development.
The Precautionary Principle is totally ignored in large-scale PV Solar approvals as the DPIE & IPCN cannot guarantee the health & safety of these 'dumps' midst rural communities & food production.
The quality of life is reduced greatly now & for future generations
The ecological processes on which life depends are threatened, harmed & seriously or irreversibly harmed.

Intergenerational equity is ruined with the health, diversity & productivity of the environment neither maintained or enhanced by this senseless environmental vandalism & the massive toxic waste burden inflicted on rural areas on such a vast scale.
The health & safety of present & future generations is negatively impacted by EMR, electrification risk, increased fire risk & devastating toxic contamination risk from interconnected PV solar.
Increased switch gear, circuit breakers, wind turbines & leakage from solar manufacturing are all contributing to huge increases in the most potent greenhouse gas known to man SF6 - 23,500 times more warming than CO2 & remaining in the atmosphere

Hume Link & the whole renewaBULL scam defies all the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development.
The Precautionary Principle is totally ignored in large-scale PV Solar approvals as the DPIE & IPCN cannot guarantee the health & safety of these 'dumps' midst rural communities & food production.
The quality of life is reduced greatly now & for future generations
The ecological processes on which life depends are threatened, harmed & seriously or irreversibly harmed.

Intergenerational equity is ruined with the health, diversity & productivity of the environment neither maintained or enhanced by this senseless environmental vandalism & the massive toxic waste burden inflicted on rural areas on such a vast scale.
The health & safety of present & future generations is negatively impacted by EMR, electrification risk, increased fire risk & devastating toxic contamination risk from interconnected PV solar.
Increased switch gear, circuit breakers, wind turbines & leakage from solar manufacturing are all contributing to huge increases in the most potent greenhouse gas known to man SF6 - 23,500 times more warming than CO2 & remaining in the atmosphere for more than 1,000 years!

Hume Link does the complete opposite to conserving biological diversity & ecological integrity.
Air, land, water & living things are all detrimentally impacted by Hume Link & this renewaBULL con.
It is unconscionable & reprehensible that such a fraud is being perpetuated on Australia for selfish & nefarious purposes that majorly advantage & strengthen the CCP whilst making Australia weak.

135.6 hectares of native vegetation is destroyed, with infrastructure permanently changing the
existing landscape, desecrating high biodiversity value areas - with biodiversity offsets a complete nonsense & in no way ever commensurate with the tragic century or 2 old losses inflicted, threatening a variety of numerous threatened ecological species & their connective habitat, destroying heritage items & places of significance.
Obviously, the destruction of indigenous heritage - artefacts & sacred sites matters not to non-compliant renewaBULL companies - with large-scale PV Solar developers - Cheung Kong Con & Metka who wilfully destroyed it all at Bomen/Eunony Valley.

It is absolutely essential that this Hume Link Interconnector debacle & the whole renewaBULL energy scam cease immediately & be replaced by logical, Australian benefiting, efficient & economical base-load power sources for the greater good & sovereignty of our nation.

Nil Commnet