Powerlink has developed a new SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework that significantly boosts payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure.
Under the new framework, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments. The increase in payments is based on property-specific values and impacts, as opposed to using only a flat rate.
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Powerlink will also become the first transmission company in Australia to offer payments to landholders with properties adjacent to new transmission infrastructure.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said, “Queenslanders have worked hard to build an efficient publicly-owned energy system. This new payment framework will see landholders receive a fair payment to recognise the important role they have in
allowing us to deliver Queensland’s SuperGrid.
“We’re building the Queensland SuperGrid, the nation’s largest, to transport cheap, clean, and secure renewable energy from across the state, to power more homes and support new industries and job opportunities.
“Powerlink is now in a position to offer higher payments for the majority of Queensland landholders hosting transmission infrastructure compared to arrangements in place prior to the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”
Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser said, “Increasing landholder and community expectations, together with the release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, had prompted a review of Powerlink’s approach starting in October 2022.
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“The new framework was guided by a dedicated reference group of stakeholders including representatives from a broad cross-section of interests, from councils and agricultural groups to large energy user advocates and consumer groups.
“Providing landholders with greater flexibility around the timing of payments, with both up front and annual payment options now available, was important—along with ensuring the new framework considered the variance in property values across different regions, rather than applying a blanket approach.”
