South Australia - New South Wales Electricity Interconnector

The proposal

The proposal can generally be described as the construction of a new high voltage transmission line with a capacity of up to 330 kilovolts (kV) originating from the existing Robertstown Substation located approximately 5 kilometres north-east of Robertstown, and travelling in an easterly direction to the New South Wales border, concluding at a location north of the River Murray near the Wentworth Road (approximately 50 kilometres north-east of Renmark). The overall development is known as Project EnergyConnect.

For the purposes of the declaration, the proposal includes the following:

  • A 15 kilometre wide investigations corridor whereby a route will be selected in order for the following to occur:
    • erection of freestanding towers, guyed masts or monopoles
    • provision and maintenance of vehicular access to each tower site, including land clearance and the installation of any necessary access gates or fencing
    • clearance of an area for each tower site for construction operations
    • excavation and installation of concrete tower footings or anchors
    • location of winch and brake sites including breaking machines for conductor stringing purposes
    • temporary laydown areas, construction compounds including accommodation, office buildings and sewerage treatment systems, and concrete batching plants.
  • Development associated with the construction of a new 330/275 kV substation, located approximately 15 kilometres north-east of Robertstown.
  • Telecommunications infrastructure.

Authorisation dates

Construction to commence (no later) - Construction commenced

Completion of works (no later) - 6 January 2027

Assessment stages and documentation

StageDateDocumentation
Development Authorisation – telecommunications facilities20 December  2022Decision Notification (PDF, 454 KB)
Development Authorisation – transmission towers 197 to 20231 October 2022Decision Notification (PDF, 330 KB)
Development Authorisation – Bundey Substation Stages 3-5, 330kV Light Angle Towers, 275kV Transmission Infrastructure, Temporary Construction Camp10 October 2022Decision Notification (PDF, 287 KB)
Development Authorisation – Suspension and Terminal Towers (and Foundation); Medium Angle Tower (and Foundation)19 May 2022Decision Notification (PDF, 222 KB)
Development Authorisation – Bundey Substation (Stages 1-2)24 April 2022Decision Notification (PDF, 218 KB)

Minister's Decision

6 January 2022

Government Gazette dated 6 January 2022

Release of Assessment Report

16 December 2021

Assessment Report (PDF, 5722 KB)

Release of Response Document

1 December 2021

Environmental Impact Statement Response Document (PDF, 9533 KB)

Public submissions (PDF, 1545 KB)

Release of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by proponent for public comment

12 May 2021

Environmental Impact Statement:

Fact Sheet (PDF, 187 KB)

Submission Form (PDF, 567 KB)

Public notice (PDF, 83 KB)

Release of guidelines with level of assessment determined

20 November 2019

See Guidelines (PDF, 1072 KB)

Declaration as major development

24 June 2019

Government Gazette dated 27 June 2019
Variation notice in Government Gazette dated 19 March 2020