Genex Power Limited is constructing the Kidston Renewable Energy Hub, a combination solar and pumped storage hydro power generation at the former Kidston mine, located within Einasleigh in North Queensland.
Powerlink Queensland has been engaged by Genex to connect this facility to its existing transmission network at Mount Fox, via a new 275 kilovolt electricity transmission infrastructure project known as the Genex Kidston Connection Project.
The Project comprises a 275 kV single circuit transmission line that will traverse approximately 186 kilometres between the localities of Kidston and Mount Fox, north-west of Townsville Queensland. A new 275 kV switching station is also required at Mount Fox to connect the transmission line into Powerlink’s existing transmission network.
Our Services
Our team was commissioned by Powerlink Queensland to undertake an offset suitability assessment within Jervoise Station, a property located west of the township of Greenvale, to identify suitable environmental offsets for the Genex Kidston Connection Project.
This included undertaking ecological field surveys including Habitat Quality assessments.
Following the completion of the field surveys, our team developed an Offset Area Management Plan (OAMP) to support the Project referral under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This detailed how the offset would be delivered to counterbalance the significant residual impacts of the Project on three nationally threatened species.
Our team was also engaged to assess the suitability of adjacent areas to provide environmental offsets for other Powerlink projects. This included a comprehensive desktop review; ground-truthing the extent and condition of vegetation and habitats; undertaking habitat assessments and targeted surveys for threatened species; and determining the likelihood of occurrence of prescribed environmental matters including species that are Matters of National Environmental Significance and/or Matters of State Environmental Significance.
Outcomes
The OAMP was approved by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
E2M continues to assist Powerlink with the Project by undertaking annual ecological field surveys to monitor the Jervoise Station offset area in accordance with the approved OAMP.
