Working with the community

EnergyCo is committed to genuine community engagement

That means working closely with all stakeholders to minimise the impacts of the HTP on people and the environment and to maximise the benefits of the project for the Hunter community.

We're talking to affected individuals and groups. We value their opinions and try to address their concerns.

We're engaging with the local Aboriginal community to make sure the HTP doesn’t affect any sensitive cultural areas.

We're consulting with environment groups to minimise impacts on endangered ecological communities and threatened species, and to deliver strategic offsets that improve biodiversity values in the Hunter.

We're also seeking input from recreation groups, making every effort to align or realign the transmission line to minimise any disruption to recreation activities in the State forests.

With the community’s help, we want to get the details right as we continue to refine the project ahead of its environmental impact assessment.

Ways to get involved

Community information sessions

We hold community drop-in sessions and pop-up events to chat about the project, answer your questions and share updates.

While there aren’t any events scheduled right now, you can sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date — subscribe here.

Online briefings

Join our community webinars

Webinar: Biodiversity assessment - Tuesday 29 April 2025 6pm – 7pm

This session outlines the biodiversity impact assessment process for the HTP and our early findings.

Webinar: Aboriginal cultural heritage - Thursday 1 May 2025 6pm – 7pm

This session outlines the Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment process for the HTP and our early findings.

Webinar: Noise and air quality - Tuesday 6 May 2025 6pm – 7pm

This session outlines the noise and air quality assessments process for the HTP and our early findings

Webinar: Visual Impact - Thursday 8 May 2025, 6pm- 7pm

This session outlines the visual impact assessment process for the HTP and our early findings.

Webinar: Traffic and transport - Tuesday 13 May 2025, 6pm – 7pm

This session outlines the traffic and transport assessment process for the HTP and our early findings.

Watch recordings of past webinars

Webinar: Bushfire assessment – recorded Tuesday 18 March

This session outlined the bushfire risk assessment process and our early findings.

Watch webinar recording

Webinar: Planning and approval pathway – recorded Thursday 6 March

This session outlined the key steps in the HTP’s planning and approval pathway.

Watch webinar recording

Surveys

Consultation is an important part of our environmental assessment process. Surveys are one way we seek feedback on specific activities or decisions that can be shaped by community feedback.

Survey: Have your say on the Hunter Transmission Project

We’re finalising the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Hunter Transmission Project and want to hear your feedback on potential impacts.

Check out our fact sheets for a summary of early findings on key topics including traffic and transport, biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage, bushfire risk, visual impacts and historic heritage – then let us know what you think.

Complete the survey

Working with potentially affected landholders

We have a dedicated local team available to work with potentially affected landowners. We’re available to meet, provide information and support, and answer questions.

We are talking with landowners to understand how land is used and identify other possible property impacts or concerns. This will inform potential improvements to the design of the project. This could include avoiding dwellings and high value land, minimising fragmentation of blocks, limiting construction access and other amenity issues.

Hunter first to maximise benefits for our community

In addition to providing clean and reliable electricity, the HTP will support economic growth in the Hunter to leave a positive legacy.

We’ll harness and build on the region’s diverse economic skill base and provide opportunities for the Hunter community to share in the benefits of the project. That means:

working with councils and the community to fund local projects
providing strategic benefit payments to private landowners hosting transmission infrastructure on top of any compensation for easements
increasing income and employment opportunities for local Aboriginal communities in line with the First Nations Guidelines
employing as many locals as possible
prioritising the purchase of goods and services from Hunter businesses
creating education and training opportunities for the local community
delivering strategic offsets to improve biodiversity values in the region
enhancing recreational facilities in the state forests.

These initiatives will take a Hunter first approach with suggestions from the community.

Next steps

We’re still in the planning stages of the project. We’ll continue to consult with the community throughout the development of the environmental impact statement (EIS).

To stay informed, you can sign up to our monthly newsletter here. We'll keep you updated on opportunities to have your say and learn more about the potential impacts and benefits of the project. We use online and in-person engagement methods so you can participate at a time that is convenient for you.

The HTP’s next major milestone will be when we lodge its detailed environmental impact statement (EIS) in mid-2025. The EIS will then be placed on public exhibition by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a minimum of 4 weeks. This is when you can make a formal submission to provide your feedback.

Hunter Transmission Project regional reference group

A regional reference group for the HTP held its first meeting on 5 February 2024.

Hunter Transmission Project