Powerlink announces new transmission line compensation

Powerlink has announced a new payment framework heralded as “an Australian first” as property owners saddled with high voltage transmission lines begin land access negotiations.

Powerlink has announced a new payment framework heralded as “an Australian first” as property owners saddled with high voltage transmission lines begin land access negotiations.

As transmission lines connecting wind farms, solar farms and pumped hydro to the state grid start crisscrossing the Wide Bay Burnett region, Powerlink has upgraded its payment policies to what it calls “an Australian first”.

The SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework will entitle both landholders who carry Powerlink transmission lines on their properties as well as properties adjacent to the transmission lines to compensation.

Powerlink has been under fire by affected property owners and councillors within Gympie and the South Burnett, shocked by the consultation process and the news they may have high voltage towers and wires within sight of their homes.

Kilkivan residents called a public meeting addressing the transmission lines across their properties after the announcement of the recommended 1km wide corridor through the west of Gympie. Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Picture: Christine Schindler

In a statement from Powerlink, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments based on property-specific values and impacts, as opposed to using only a flat rate.

The framework comes into effect in May 2023 in time for negotiations between properties owners saddled with the transmission line connections between the proposed pumped hydro Borumba Dam to Woolooga and Halys substations.

The review over compensation started in October 2022 by Powerlink as a response to the rising community expectations and the release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, the Powerlink announcement said.

“Providing landholders with greater flexibility around the timing of payments, with both upfront and annual payment options now available, was important – along with ensuring the new framework considered the variance in property values across different regions, rather than applying a blanket approach,” Powerlink chief executive Paul Simshauser said.

The payment framework was guided by a dedicated stakeholder reference group including Queensland Farmers Federation, Local Government Association of Queensland, RE-Alliance and Energy Users Association of Australia, the Powerlink statement said.

Powerlink’s new payment plan includes an incentive payment plus an allowance for professional advice and services. (Representatives of Powerlink answer questions from residents after a public meeting was called from affected properties owners. May 3, 2023). Picture: Christine Schindler

“It is important that a process is in place to represent the interests of those who will be directly impacted by transmission lines and that the needs of landholders and the broader agriculture sector are considered as the complexities of integrating grid infrastructure are navigated,” CEO of Queensland Farmers’ Federation Jo Sheppard said.

The news from the state-owned transmission company comes as 129 properties near Kilkivan and 164 properties south of Nanango lie in the path of power lines marked, but not confirmed, for completion in 2029.

Currently this compensation framework only applies to negotiations within Powerlink projects. More information over the new payment can be found here. 

This will not the only new transmission line project in the area, and Forest Wind, a $2 billion wind farm in the State Forests between Maryborough and Gympie, have started planning their own connection to Woolooga substation.

Property owners in this corridor have asked for a public consultation and openness around alternative route options and compensation.