Page 4857 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 27 November 2018
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I ask leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.
Leave granted.
MR GENTLEMAN: I am pleased to table this statement detailing my decision to give development approval to the ACT’s second electricity supply project. This is a very significant infrastructure project for the territory and brings a benefit to each and every resident in ensuring a stable and secure electricity supply.
As required by section 161 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, I have tabled a statement that provides a description of the proposed development, details of the land where the development is proposed to take place, details of my decisions on the applications, the reasons for my decisions, and a summary of the significant community consultation that has occurred.
On 22 and 23 February 2018, WSP Australia formally lodged development applications for a proposed second electricity supply on behalf of TransGrid and Evoenergy. These utilities are required to construct a second electricity supply for the ACT under the ACT’s electricity transmission supply code 2016. The code requires a second connection, with a separate substation, to ensure that the ACT has an ongoing and secure electricity supply. This requirement was put into place to protect against interruptions to the electricity network through matters such as severe storm events, bushfires or foul play.
The proposed works will include the construction of a new substation and associated transmission line works to connect to the existing electrical infrastructure and to create a geographically separate electricity supply. The proposed works are located across various blocks immediately to the west and south-west of the suburbs of Holt and Macgregor and consist of rural land largely used for grazing purposes. The works are in proximity to future residential estates that are currently under construction. However, the works are predominantly located within existing easements and parallel to existing infrastructure.
On 18 October this year, I directed the planning and land authority to refer to me the two development applications for the project: DA201732485 and DI201732500. On 8 November 2018 I approved the applications, subject to conditions under section 162 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, utilising my ministerial call-in powers. I am providing copies of the notices of decision for each development application as attachments to the statement I am tabling today.
In deciding the applications, I gave careful consideration to the requirements of the Territory Plan, the advice from expert referral entities, and the outcome of community consultation. I note that the proposal has been through significant community consultation processes, both for the environmental impact statement and for the development applications.
I have attached a summary of the community consultation undertaken for the EIS to the statement of decision that I am tabling today. Also, representations that were
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