{"id":"tas:sr-2020-039","name":"Major Infrastructure Development Approvals (North West Transmission Upgrades Project) Order 2020","slug":"major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"39 of 2020","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":184150,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2020-039-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This order may be cited as the [Major Infrastructure Development Approvals (North West Transmission Upgrades Project) Order 2020](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2020-039) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This order takes effect on the day after it is approved by both Houses of Parliament under [section 7](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-108#GS7@EN) of the Act.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> > (1)  In this order –\n> > \n> > > ***Act*** means the [Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-108) ;\n> > \n> > > ***ancillary facilities*** means facilities associated with the construction and operation of the electricity transmission line, transmission towers and electricity substations specified in [clause 5(a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) and [(b)](#GS5@Hpb@EN) and includes, but is not limited to, facilities for the purposes of –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) storage; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) communications; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (c) conductor winching and braking; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (d) concrete batching; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (e) site administration;\n> > \n> > > ***Board*** means the Board of the Environment Protection Authority established by [section 13 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-044#GS13@EN) [Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-044) ;\n> > \n> > > ***project*** means the major infrastructure project specified in [clause 5](#GS5@EN) ;\n> > \n> > > [*\\[Clause 3 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2026, No. 8, Applied:03 Mar 2026\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-03-03/sr-2026-008#GS5@Hpa@EN) ***project proponent***, in relation to the project, means the project proponent identified in clause 4;\n> > \n> > > [*\\[Clause 3 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2026, No. 8, Applied:03 Mar 2026\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-03-03/sr-2026-008#GS5@Hpb@EN) ***substitute line works*** means –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) the relocation of overhead transmission line towers to an adjacent alignment within the corridor specified in [clause 5(a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) ; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) the substitution of those overhead transmission line towers with overhead transmission line poles.\n> \n> > (2)  The [Acts Interpretation Act 1931](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1931-059) applies to the interpretation of this order.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Project proponent","content":"### 4 Project proponent\n\n> The project proponent is identified as Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd \\[ABN 24 167 357 299\\].","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Major infrastructure project","content":"### 5 Major infrastructure project\n\n> The project proposed by the project proponent, known as the North West Transmission Upgrades Project and comprising the following uses and developments, is declared to be a major infrastructure project:\n> \n> > > (a) the construction and operation of a double-circuit, extra-high-voltage 220kV overhead electricity transmission line and transmission towers, within a corridor 120 metres wide, to transmit electricity between the following locations:\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) Palmerston and Sheffield;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) Sheffield, Heybridge and Burnie;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iii) Burnie and East Cam;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iv) East Cam and Hampshire;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (v) Hampshire and Staverton;\n> > \n> > > (b) the construction and operation of an electricity substation at each of the following locations:\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2022, No. 6, Applied:09 Mar 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-03-09/sr-2022-006#GS5@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2022, No. 6, Applied:09 Mar 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-03-09/sr-2022-006#GS5@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> > > > \n> > > > > (iii) Hampshire;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iv) Staverton;\n> > \n> > > (c) the construction and operation of ancillary facilities to be located –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) within the corridor specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) ; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) at the locations specified in [paragraph (b)](#GS5@Hpb@EN) ; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iii) at Nietta; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iv) at South Nietta;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (v) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Burnie; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (vi) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Deloraine; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (vii) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Devonport; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (viii) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Guildford; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ix) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Gowrie Park; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (x) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Palmerston; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (xi) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 58, Applied:16 Aug 2023\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-08-16/sr-2023-058#GS5@EN) at Sheffield;\n> > \n> > > (d) the construction and operation of ancillary facilities that are conductor winching and braking sites, to be located within 150 metres of the boundary of the corridor specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) ;\n> > \n> > > (e) the construction and operation of infrastructure assembly areas and vehicle access tracks, associated with the construction and operation of the electricity transmission line, transmission towers, electricity substations and ancillary facilities referred to in [paragraphs (a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS5@Hpb@EN) and [(c)](#GS5@Hpc@EN) that are –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) to be located within the corridor specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS5@Hpa@EN) and at the electrical substations and ancillary facilities specified in [paragraphs (b)](#GS5@Hpb@EN) and [(c)](#GS5@Hpc@EN) ; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2026, No. 8, Applied:03 Mar 2026\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-03-03/sr-2026-008#GS6@Hpa@EN) to run from the boundary of that corridor, and each of those electrical substations and ancillary facilities, to the nearest suitable vehicle access track or road;\n> > \n> > > (f) [*\\[Clause 5 Amended by S.R. 2026, No. 8, Applied:03 Mar 2026\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-03-03/sr-2026-008#GS6@Hpb@EN) the construction and operation of substitute line works that are determined to be necessary by the project proponent as a consequence of engineering or associated investigations, whether that determination occurs before or after the submission of an application for a planning permit by the project proponent.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notification of owners of land","content":"### 6 Notification of owners of land\n\n> Compliance with [section 52(1) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1993-070#GS52@Gs1@EN) [Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1993-070) in respect of the project is not required.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Planning approval process","content":"### 7 Planning approval process\n\n> The planning approval process in respect of the project is to be administered by the Commission.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Environmental guidelines","content":"### 8 Environmental guidelines\n\n> The Board must provide the project proponent, and the Commission, with the requirements for, and guidance in relation to, the preparation of the case required for an environmental impact assessment, in accordance with [sections 74(3)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-044#GS74@Gs3@EN) and [(4)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-044#GS74@Gs4@EN) of the [Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1994-044) , at least 7 days before draft criteria are placed on public exhibition by the Commission under [section 12(3)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-108#GS12@Gs3@EN) of the [Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-108) .","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fee","content":"### 9 Fee\n\n> The project proponent is required to pay the Crown $123 750 by 31 July 2020 to cover the costs and expenses which may be incurred by the Crown, or the Commission, in connection with the assessment of the project or the planning approval process.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 24 June 2020\n\nThis order is administered in the Department of Justice.","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text (title, status information, and metadata only), there is no evidence that the scope changed from its original intent. The instrument appears to remain focused on approvals for the North West Transmission Upgrades Project as originally intended. However, the existence of amending instruments means conditions or specific approval details may have been modified since 2020."},"complexity_factors":["Delegated legislation relying on a parent Act (likely the Major Infrastructure Development Act or similar Tasmanian legislation) — you need to read both to fully understand it","Electricity transmission law intersects with planning law, environmental law, and land access law","Streamlined approval pathways reduce normal procedural steps, which can be complex to navigate for affected parties seeking to understand their rights","Has been amended (Table of Amending Instruments referenced), meaning the current version may differ from the original — tracking changes adds complexity","Limited text available for analysis — the substantive operative provisions and conditions are not reproduced, making full assessment difficult"],"plain_english_summary":"This Tasmanian government order fast-tracks major infrastructure development approvals for the North West Transmission Upgrades Project, permitting upgrades to high‑voltage transmission infrastructure without the usual, potentially lengthy planning processes. \n\nIt affects north‑west residents, landowners near transmission corridors, TasNetworks (or contractors), and local planning authorities by accelerating delivery of reliability and renewable‑connection works while reducing normal consultation and appeal avenues."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument's scope was expanded by subsequent statutory instruments: amendments recorded in 2022, 2023 and 2026 add multiple ancillary facility locations and clarify project elements (see amendment notes to cl.5) and amend definitions in cl.3(1) (S.R. 2026 No. 8). Notable changes include adding specific ancillary sites (Burnie, Deloraine, Devonport, Guildford, Gowrie Park, Palmerston, Sheffield) and authorising substitute line works and clarified infrastructure assembly/track routing (cl.5 and cl.3(1)). These amendments broaden geographic coverage and give the proponent explicit discretion to alter tower alignment or use poles."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed technical and geographic scope for transmission line, towers, substations and multiple ancillary facility locations creates specificity to be applied in project design (cl.5).","Identifies a single corporate proponent, concentrating payment and compliance obligations (cl.4; cl.9).","Explicit exemption from landowner-notification requirements under Land Use Planning and Approvals Act s52(1), altering normal procedural expectations and shifting consultation obligations (cl.6).","Allocation of decision‑making: the Commission administers the planning approval process while the EPA Board issues environmental guidance, creating inter-agency coordination needs (cl.7; cl.8).","Timing constraint that the Board must provide environmental requirements at least 7 days before draft criteria are publicly exhibited, introducing short sequencing windows (cl.8).","Proponent discretion to determine and implement 'substitute line works' (relocation or pole substitution) broadens operational flexibility and alters later design choices (defn in cl.3(1); cl.5(f)).","Conditional commencement tied to parliamentary approval under the Act adds a procedural dependency to take effect (cl.2).","Cross‑references to other Acts for interpretation and environmental assessment procedures increase statutory interdependence (cl.3(2); cl.8 referencing Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act)."],"plain_english_summary":"This order declares the North West Transmission Upgrades Project—a 220 kV double‑circuit overhead transmission line, related substations and ancillary facilities across a defined corridor in north‑west Tasmania—to be a major infrastructure project and sets the approval and assessment framework. It names Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd as proponent, exempts certain landowner notification, requires a $123,750 payment toward assessment costs, assigns the Commission to administer planning approvals and the EPA Board to provide environmental guidance, and allows specified substitute line works and ancillary sites."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 2020 scope through three sets of amendments. The 2022 amendments removed specific substation locations (redacting them from the public register). The 2023 amendments expanded ancillary facilities from 4 locations to 11 locations, adding major towns including Burnie, Devonport, Deloraine, Guildford, Gowrie Park, Palmerston and Sheffield. The 2026 amendments introduced an entirely new category of works ('substitute line works') allowing tower relocations and pole substitutions based on engineering investigations, plus modified access track requirements. The project has evolved from a defined transmission line with fixed substations to a more flexible construction program with distributed facilities across north-west Tasmania."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendments (2022, 2023, 2026) creating a fragmented text with editorial notes throughout","Extensive cross-referencing to other Tasmanian Acts (Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999, Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, Acts Interpretation Act 1931)","Detailed technical specifications in clause 5 (voltage levels, corridor widths, specific geographic locations)","Nested definitions with sub-paragraphs (e.g., 'ancillary facilities' includes 5 specific purposes)","Conditional and location-specific requirements (e.g., 'within 150 metres of the boundary', 'to run from the boundary...to the nearest suitable vehicle access track')","8 defined terms in the interpretation section"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThis is a Tasmanian government order that fast-tracks approval for a major electricity infrastructure project called the **North West Transmission Upgrades Project**. It declares this specific project to be a \"major infrastructure project\" under Tasmanian law, which means it gets special streamlined planning and environmental approval processes.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd** (the project proponent) – the company building the infrastructure\n- **Landowners** in north-west Tasmania – the order removes the usual requirement to notify all landowners about planning applications\n- **Local communities** in areas including Burnie, Devonport, Sheffield, Deloraine and surrounding towns – they'll get new high-voltage power lines, substations and construction facilities\n- **The Environment Protection Authority** – responsible for setting environmental guidelines\n- **The Tasmanian Planning Commission** – handles the planning approval process instead of local councils\n\n**What the project involves:**\n\n- Building 220kV high-voltage transmission lines and towers between multiple locations (Palmerston, Sheffield, Burnie, Hampshire, Staverton, etc.)\n- Constructing electricity substations at Hampshire and Staverton (and other locations)\n- Setting up construction facilities (storage, concrete batching, communications) across multiple towns\n- Creating access tracks and temporary construction sites\n- Potential relocation of some transmission towers to different positions (\"substitute line works\")\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis order **bypasses normal planning rules** that would usually apply:\n- Landowners don't need to be individually notified about planning applications (clause 6)\n- The project gets a single, coordinated approval process rather than dealing with multiple local councils\n- It establishes a $123,750 fee for the government to assess the project\n- It has been amended multiple times (2022, 2023, 2026) to expand the project scope – adding more locations for ancillary facilities and new types of works\n\nEssentially, this is the legal mechanism that allows a major energy infrastructure project to proceed with fewer procedural hurdles than a typical development."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020","history":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/major-infrastructure-development-approvals-north-west-transmission-upgrades-project-order-2020/documents"}}