HumeLink transmission line construction sparks landowner protests in New South Wales

TransGrid is building the 360‑kilometre, 500‑kilovolt HumeLink transmission line linking the Maragle and Bannaby substations. The project includes a series of 80‑metre high towers, several of which are being erected on private farms such as that of Gurrundah landowner Michael Katz, who can see ten towers spanning 3.5 kilometres from his home.

Landowners and residents, nearly 100 of them who recently met in Yass, say the scale of the works and the environmental impact of heavy‑truck traffic and clearing are far greater than expected. The HumeLink Alliance, represented by Rebecca Tobin, argues the line should be placed underground to protect farmland, bushland, rural amenity and to reduce fire risk and mental strain on the community. Aiden Morrison of the Centre for Independent Studies noted the line is intended to unlock the Snowy Hydro Scheme’s full potential and increase renewable energy delivery across NSW and the ACT, but opponents maintain the construction permanently changes farms and landscapes.