Referral summary · EPBC Act Public Portal

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<p>The Project is a pumped hydro facility which can deliver a nominal 325 MW for a minimum duration of 8 hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Key permanent Project infrastructure includes:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>“Turkey nest” embankment dam forming an upper reservoir&nbsp;</li><li>Embankment dam(s) on a minor tributary forming the lower reservoir&nbsp;</li><li>Penstock with covered and/or uncovered sections&nbsp;</li><li>Intake/outlet concrete structures at the upper and lower reservoirs&nbsp;</li><li>Subsurface powerhouse enclosing pump-turbines and main generating equipment</li><li>Powerhouse administration building and associated infrastructure&nbsp;</li><li>Communication infrastructure&nbsp;</li><li>Water supply pipeline from the Fish River, including extraction pump infrastructure and electrical cable (located within the same buried pipeline trench)</li><li>Transmission connection infrastructure including two transformers on the top level of the powerhouse, a switchyard adjacent to the powerhouse and switchyard at the connection node adjacent to the existing 330kV system. A 7km (approximate) 330kV underground transmission cable will connect the powerhouse switchyard to the connection switchyard;&nbsp;</li><li>Upgrade, sealing and potential realignment of part of Molybdonite Road</li><li>Upgrade of the Molybdonite Road and the Great Western Highway intersection</li><li>Internal access roads to enable access to and from the infrastructure</li><li>Spoil and storage areas.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>When generating, the Project will release water from the upper reservoir through the penstock to the pump-turbine units which are enclosed in a subsurface powerhouse, then passing through the tailrace before discharging to the lower reservoir. When pumping, this operation sequence is reversed through the pump-turbine units and water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir.</p><p>The proposed activities that require a referral are due to the Project construction. The Project will be delivered in phases, with a number of activities under each phase:</p><ol><li>Geotechnical investigation program</li></ol><ul><li>Investigation activities to include boreholes, test pits and geophysics</li><li>Potential upgrades to existing access tracks / establishment of new access tracks</li><li>Topsoil and vegetation removal and stockpiling</li><li>Soil excavation</li><li>Erosion and sediment control works</li><li>Rehabilitation of disturbed areas.</li></ul><p>2. Enabling works</p><ul><li>Upgrade of the existing Great Western Highway intersection with Molybdonite Road</li><li>Potential upgrade to part of Molybdonite Road&nbsp;</li><li>Topsoil and vegetation removal and stockpiling</li><li>Erosion and sediment control works</li><li>Establishment of temporary construction infrastructure including equipment storage, vehicle parking, offices and amenities</li><li>Works associated with the water supply pipeline and power supply</li><li>Establishment of internal access roads to enable safe and efficient access to construction staging areas&nbsp;</li><li>Fencing and temporary security works</li></ul><p>3. Main construction and commissioning works</p><ul><li>Topsoil and vegetation removal and stockpiling</li><li>Erosion and sediment control works</li><li>Establishment of temporary workshops, stores, offices, amenities, temporary construction access roads, fuel storage, parking and laydown areas</li><li>Establishment of crushing and batching plants</li><li>Excavation and construction of the upper reservoir&nbsp;</li><li>Excavation and construction of the powerhouse&nbsp;</li><li>Temporary diversion of Frying Pan Creek</li><li>Construction of the lower reservoir, embankment dam(s) and spillway(s)&nbsp;</li><li>Construction of the water conveyance system (penstock and headrace tunnel)&nbsp;</li><li>Construction of the water supply pipeline from the Fish River to the lower reservoir</li><li>Underground transmission cable and switchyard installation</li><li>Initial fill of the upper or lower reservoir from the water supply pipeline&nbsp;</li><li>Infrastructure and facility testing and operational commissioning</li><li>Demobilisation of construction site&nbsp;</li><li>Rehabilitation of remaining disturbed areas.</li></ul><p>The Proposed Development Footprint (termed ‘Subject Land’ or ‘Project Study Area’) occupies approximately 454 hectares (ha) and is comprised of 182ha of Disturbance Footprint and avoidance of the balance of 272ha.</p><p>For further details including construction methodology please refer to the Project Description (Attachment 1 titled <i>CWPH_EPBCReferral_Attachment 1_Project Description</i>).</p>

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