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HCC REZ network infrastructure upgrades
HCC REZ network infrastructure upgrades

The HCC REZ network infrastructure upgrades represent the biggest enhancements for the Ausgrid network in more than 25 years.

Being able to utilise our existing easements (electricity corridor) will help to minimise any potential impact to landowners who host this infrastructure.

The HCC REZ planning and design process

Ausgrid will work closely with local community and regional stakeholders on the design and location of the HCC REZ infrastructure.

In order to minimise impact on landowners, the community and environment, where possible Ausgrid has determined the sub-transmission route by utilising the existing infrastructure corridor and Ausgrid substations.

  1. Early 2025 – mid 2025

    Refine design and ongoing site investigations.

  2. Mid 2025

    Review of Environmental Factors (REF) on public display.

  3. Mid - late 2025

    Detailed design and early works.

  4. Early 2026

    Start of sub-transmission line and substation construction works.

  5. Mid 2028

    Commission and move into operation and maintenance phase.

Review of Environmental Factors

The Review of Environmental Factors will be available from 29 April to 9 June 2025. You can view and comment at: yoursay.ausgrid.com.au/HCCREZ.

Review of Environmental Factors

As part of the planning process, a Review of Environmental Factors for these works will be on public exhibition from 29 April to 9 June 2025.

The Review of Environmental Factors considers potential environmental impacts of the proposal and the measures to reduce these. The factors include:

  • Biodiversity

  • Visual

  • Bushfire Risk

  • Heritage (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal)

  • Hazard and risk

  • Surface Water

  • Noise and Vibration

  • Geology, soil, groundwater and contamination

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What upgrade works will Ausgrid undertake?

    Ausgrid’s proposed works include:

    • Upgrading 85km of existing sub-transmission power lines
    • Building two new energy hubs (substations)
    • Upgrading two existing energy hubs (substations)
    • Installing 18km new underground fibre optic communications cable

    The proposed network infrastructure upgrades run from Kurri Kurri to Muswellbrook.

  • What will the new poles and wires infrastructure look like?

    Ausgrid will replace approximately 85km of existing sub-transmission lines between Kurri Kurri and Muswellbrook.
    Timber poles would be replaced with taller, stronger, metal monopoles, like this:

    Ausgrid HCC REZ Infrastructure

    • 66kV single pole structures
    • 132kV two pole structures
  • Where will the new substations be located?

    The proposed new substations are located in Muswellbrook (Sandy Creek substation) and Singleton (Antiene substation).

  • What substations will be upgraded?
    The existing Muswellbrook and Mitchell Line substations will be upgraded as part of the network infrastructure works.

HCC REZ Project Factsheet

Download a printable PDF version of this information.

Community Engagement

Ausgrid will work closely with the community and regional stakeholders during the design and delivery phases of the HCC REZ.

Planning, designing and building new electricity network infrastructure in the Hunter and Central Coast regions requires a detailed understanding of the area’s future large energy users and renewable energy projects.

Ausgrid is dedicated to working with local landowners, communities and businesses, to ensure we deliver social value to the communities that will host the infrastructure required.

  • Will landowners be affected?

    Yes, some landowners will be affected.

    Wherever possible, Ausgrid has used the existing infrastructure corridor to minimise potential impact on landowners.

    We have been in contact with owners of affected land will continue to work with these important stakeholders throughout the lifetime of the Project.

  • How will impacts to landowners be managed?

    EnergyCo and Ausgrid are committed to working with potentially affected landowners to minimise impacts on farming, mining and other business activities through the life of the project.

    During the planning phase, we want to understand farming operations and other possible property impacts or concerns to inform the design and location of the sub-transmission route.

    This could include avoiding dwellings, limiting construction access, and other amenity issues.


  • What traditional lands is the HCC REZ on?
    The HCC REZ will be hosted on the traditional lands of the Wanaruah, Awabakal, Worimi and Darkinjung people, cared for by their Land Councils, as well as the Bahtabah, Biraban, Mindaribba and Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
  • What consideration is given to the traditional owners?
    During ground investigations as part of preparing the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), Ausgrid (and our sub-contractors) will coordinate with the appropriate Local Aboriginal Land Committee (LALC), to have a cultural liaison representative present.
Customers and crews talking

Community drop-ins and project notifications

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Project Overview

An overview of the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project.

About Renewable Energy Zones

Find out about Renewable Energy Zones on the NSW Government EnergyCo Website.

Working with the community

Ausgrid is committed to working collaboratively with affected landowners and communities, to ensure our stakeholders benefit from hosting this infrastructure in their communities.