Kings Forest FAQ’s
- Accessing and using existing easements
- Installing an underground cable rather than new overhead powerlines.
Who is Essential Energy?
Essential Energy builds, operates and maintains one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks, servicing more than 890,000 customers across regional, rural and remote NSW and parts of southern Queensland.
Our footprint covers 95 per cent of NSW, traversing 737,000 square kilometres of landmass with 183,612 kilometres of powerlines.
What is Essential Energy's role in the Kings Forest High Voltage Supply project?
Essential Energy is responsible for the design, construction and ongoing operation of a new substation and underground feeder to deliver electricity to the Kings Forest development area.
What community consultation has been undertaken?
We welcome ongoing feedback from the community. This site is a great avenue for you to keep in touch, provide input and ask any questions.
In December 2023, we will commence letterbox drops and contact residents directly impacted by the powerline and zone substation construction.
Our Land and Routes team, in conjunction with our Community Relationship Manager located in the area, will be the people engaging with you throughout. Their details are provided on this page for ease of contact.
How have impacts to the environment and visual amenity been considered?
As we have considered the design elements of the project, we have sought to minimised the impacts to the natural environment and preserve the visual amenity where possible.
Examples of this include:
The underground cable will be built within road reserve or existing easements along the route between Cudgen and Kings Forest Development, this is to minimise visual impact to the community.
Essential Energy has undertaken environmental assessments to ensure the impact to the natural environment is preserved during the construction and operation of the new underground cable.
Has the project considered potential bushfire risks of the new powerline infrastructure?
Yes. We understand hot weather and more extreme conditions - like bushfire - need to be a priority in our investment decision making. They are also a top priority in risk mitigation measures when we operate and maintain our infrastructure. Our investment approach considers risk, cost and network performance so that our decisions deliver optimal value for customers . We considered the potential to place under ground the new feeder (between Cudgen to the Kings Forest development) as an option in our scenarios. However, given the cost would be passed on to our overall existing customer base through their electricity bills, this was not the optimal or chosen solution.
Will this project have an impact on my power bill?
The project is in majority funded by the proponent of the Kings Forest Development area with a small co-investment from Essential Energy. The outcome of this new underground feeder creates better resilience in the network minimising unplanned outages to the broader community outside of the Kings Forest Development which led to the co-investment from Essential Energy.
Essential Energy values a network that meets the customers' needs and expectations with minimal unplanned outages.
What is the benefit of the Kings Forest zone substation and underground feeder project?
The Kings Forest zone substation and underground feeder project will provide power supply to the Kings Forest development area. This development involves the creation of 5,500 residential housing lots, a community centre which includes educational facilities, parks and a community centre.
Additionally, the new underground feeder will strengthen our existing electricity network and increase its capacity and resilience to the broader community. The Kings Forest development will allow thousands of new customers to connect to Essential Energy's network, ultimately contributed to reducing the cost of electricity prices for all customers across the Essential Energy footprint.
Who has been awarded the contract to deliver the work?
Construction is estimated to commence in June 2023 over multiple stages and be completed in December 2025. Essential Energy will be providing regular construction updates here.
Why is the zone substation and underground feeder required? Why is it necessary?
To provide safe and reliable power to the Kings Forest Development area.
Are stakeholders and the community being informed throughout the project?
We are committed to keeping the community and stakeholders updated throughout the project.
Essential Energy will provide regular construction updates here.
How do I receive regular updates on the project?
Where do I go for further information?
Contact Essential Energy’s Community Relations Manager - Josh Galloway directly or view our latest updates and news here for information about the powerline project.
For information on the Kings Forest Development please go to their website or via the Tweed Shire Council website.