Residents are being encouraged to have their say on the Hunter Transmission Project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

In a major milestone, in the delivery of the state-significant infrastructure venture, EnergyCo recently lodged its EIS with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Now, it will be on public exhibition until 5pm on Wednesday 24 September.

Several community information sessions are scheduled, too, to enable locals to chat to the experts about the development and receive updates.

It’s expected the Hunter Transmission Project will unlock electricity supply from new Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) to ensure reliable, state-wide delivery of energy as coal-fired power stations close.

And, as with all major projects, an EIS is an essential part of the planning process.

It assesses the environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities while outlining how impacts will be avoided, minimised or managed.

“The Hunter Transmission Project is a vital part of NSW’s plan to secure our energy future,” project director Peter Redwin said.

“So, the release of the EIS marks an important step.

“This is the result of more than two years of detailed planning and extensive community consultation to ensure the project is delivered in a way that minimises impacts and maximises benefits for locals.

“I urge everyone to review the EIS, understand the project and provide their feedback.”

The Hunter Transmission Project will provide a missing link in the electricity network and help unlock its supply from the Central-West Orana and New England Renewable Energy Zones.

More than 85% of the infrastructure will be built on mining, energy and government land.

Community information sessions:

Cessnock

• Monday 8 September (3pm to 7pm): Cessnock Leagues Club, 1 Darwin Street – Themes: Traffic and Transport, Noise and Vibration
• Tuesday 16 September (3pm to 7pm): Cessnock Scout Hall, 284 Maitland Road – Themes: Traffic and Transport

Singleton

• Tuesday 9 September (3pm to 7pm): Singleton Library Meeting Room, 8-10 Queen Street – Themes: Traffic and Transport, Biodiversity
• Thursday 18 September (3pm to 7pm): Singleton Youth Venue Auditorium, Corner of Bathurst and Pitt Street – Themes: Traffic and Transport, Noise and Vibration, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

Cooranbong

• Wednesday 10 September (3pm to 7pm): Cooranbong Community Hall, 614 Freemans Drive – Themes: Traffic and Transport, Biodiversity, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
• Wednesday 17 September (3pm to 7pm): Avondale University Ella Hughes Chapel, 582 Freemans Drive – Themes: Bushfire, Traffic and Transport, Biodiversity

Millfield

• Thursday 11 September (3pm to 7pm): Millfield Community Hall, 25 Bennet Street – Themes: Visual, Traffic and Transport

Community pop-up sessions:

• Maitland Community Markets: Sunday 7 September (9am to 1pm), Maitland Showground
• Broke Village Fair: Sunday 14 September (9am to noon), McNamara Park

To view the EIS and make a submission, visit the NSW Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/have-your-say

For more news stories:

• Hunter River High School welcomes completion of major upgrade
• Equinor setback not the end of Hunter offshore wind farm
• Housing deposit scheme ‘not enough’ to support Novocastrians

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