Following an extensive consultation process with the local community and key stakeholders, and a sustainability assessment of 13 corridor options, Western Power has identified the preferred corridor for the Kojonup to Albany 132,000 volt (132kV) double-circuit transmission line.
The corridor performed best overall in an assessment, which considered the social, environmental, economic and technical impacts of a line. As such, it has been identified by Western Power's independent consultants, GHD, as the least overall impact corridor in which to locate a transmission line. GHD's full report (PDF 2.26mb) explains the sustainability assessment process and provides a detailed numeric comparison of the corridor options showing why one option is preferred over the others.
Please note: Following the publication of the full report, it was identified that revisions to some sections of the impact assessment data were needed. The revisions, which do not affect the outcome of the preferred corridor, are presented in the addendum to the final report (PDF 1.8mb).This Addendum should be read in conjunction with the full report.
The Stakeholder Advisory Group was briefed on the outcome of the assessment and a series of information sessions was held in late April to provide the community with more information on the outcome and next steps. Western Power is now work closely with affected landowners to determine the most suitable line route within the 2km-wide corridor.
Over the last twelve months, Western Power and our independent consultants GHD have been undertaking background research and detailed community and stakeholder consultation to ensure that the most suitable corridor for this important piece of infrastructure is identified. More information
Western Power will now work closely with landowners in the preferred corridor to determine the most suitable line route within the corridor. More information
Two 132,000 volt (132 kV) lines from Kojonup currently supply electricity to Albany.
Due to an expected increase in electricity use, the Albany region will need to reinforce transmission systems into Albany by 2011. Western Power will do this with the construction of a new 132,000 volt (132kV) double-circuit transmission line between Kojonup and Albany.
This new transmission line will help provide reliable, quality electricity supply to meet growing power needs in the Albany region.
See also:
Grange Resources has selected the line route to be used to supply power to its proposed magnetite mine at Southdown near Wellstead, 90 kms north-east of Albany.
Grange has selected a dedicated transmission line that will be constructed from Muja to Southdown, north of the Stirling Ranges. Given this decision, Western Power can announce that its planned line from Kojonup to Albany will be built at 132 kV, instead of at 220 kV, which would have been required if Grange's needs were incorporated into the planned line.
Additionally, Grange has agreed to provide supplementary funds as part of the project to allow for the construction by Western Power of two new substations in the Gnowangerup area and near Wellstead, which will significantly boost the quality of power supplies to the region.
This decision is an excellent outcome for communities in the Great Southern as it enables Western Power to link in to the Muja to Southdown line and provide improved service to communities in the Gnowangerup region and the south coast.
The decision to supply power to Grange via the Muja to Southdown route, instead of from Kojonup to Albany and Albany to Southdown means there is no need to build a line from Albany to Southdown.
If you would like to discuss the corridor selection process or information sessions, please contact Sylvia Stieber on (08) 62228436.
For project and technical matters, please contact Western Power's Project Officer, Lyall Murphy on (08) 9326 4744 or fax on (08) 9225 2078.
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Page update on 9 June 2008
