Powerlink announces final Borumba Woolooga powerline path

Powerlink have announced the final 1km-long corridor of the controversial high voltage transmission lines crossing west of Gympie from the proposed $14.2bn Borumba pumped hydro to the grid at Woolooga.

After a grueling 18 months of community consultation, Powerlink have announced the final 1km-long corridor of high voltage transmission lines which would connect energy from the proposed $14.2bn Borumba pumped hydro to the grid at Woolooga.

A year ago, when landholders and residents in Gympie and South Burnett received news of the planned 500kV transmission lines set to cross through the region they reacted in opposition, planning community action, putting up signs, locking their gates, and calling for a senate inquiry into renewable infrastructure.

Farmers and landholders expressed concerns of land devaluation, biosecurity risks and mental anguish from having huge towers on their property.

More 100 people turned up to Kilkivan Town Hall in response to Powerlink's selected corridor of a transmission line from Borumba Dam to Woolooga Substation in late April. Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Picture: Christine Schindler

The process has not been without an array of opinions on the matter, Councillor Bob Fredman and Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig called the initial study areas with multiple options ‘cruel’, while geographer Ian Stehbens said Powerlink had thoughtfully considered the route through the state forests and avoided its natural ”gems”.

While the line to the west in South Burnett connecting Borumba to Halys was released in September as planned, the Woolooga stretch was extended with a 10km deviation put in place to avoid a density of homes around Black Snake, south east of Kilkivan.

The deviation came about after direct consultation with the affected landholders in the area, Powerlink general manager of community services Dana Boxall said.

Powerlink have selected the final 1km corridor alignment. November 29, 2023

“We’ve had a significant amount of feedback on the final easement alignment and as we work to narrow the one kilometre wide corridor down to 70 metres, we will continue to work with those landholders for the location of the final 70 metre easement,” she said.

However, concern remains over whether the power lines will fall within 5om of homes, with Mardi Brady’s 800sqm Blacksnake property within the final 1km alignment.

Ms Brady said she was just waiting in anticipation for the news, hoping they “have indeed listened to anyone.”

“The key thing for landholders is to keep working closely with the team and help them understand their specific circumstances, it is really important to keep that ongoing dialogue,” Ms Boxall said.

Powerlink representatives address more 100 people turned up to Kilkivan Town Hall in response to Powerlink's selected corridor of a transmission line from Borumba Dam to Woolooga Substation in late April. Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Picture: Christine Schindler

With Powerlink’s new SuperGrid landholder payment framework, the state-owned company can offer an estimate earlier in the process and landholders can start to embark on that discussion, she said.

“Landholders may request to receive a high level per kilometre estimate, based on average land value in the area, and we can work with landholders to help them understand that.”

More 100 people turned up to Kilkivan Town Hall in response to Powerlink's selected corridor of a transmission line from Borumba Dam to Woolooga Substation in late April. Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Picture: Christine Schindler

A statement from Powerlink said the final corridor optimises the use of State-owned land and avoids National Parks, minimises impact on agriculture, intensive land use and strategic cropping land, minimises impact on areas of potential cultural significance, identifies potential to co-locate with existing distribution lines, enhance opportunities for co-existence and avoids critical infrastructure, community facilities and townships.

Field studies are planned to commence in 2024, with the final 70m transmission alignment confirmed mid-2024 and construction starting in 2025.

The transmission lines are expected to be operational in 2029.

Powerlink’s online interactive map of the route can be viewed here. 

Originally published as Powerlink announces final Borumba Woolooga powerline path