41Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project

41 Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project

41 Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project

(1) Development for the purposes of the Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project on land in the Mid-Coast local government area, including the following—

(a) the construction and operation of pumped hydroelectric and generation works, including—

(i) an upper water storage dam and reservoir, and

(ii) a tunnelled waterway comprising a vertical shaft and inclined headrace tunnel between the upper reservoir intake and powerhouse and tailrace tunnel connecting the powerhouse to the lower reservoir, and

(iii) a powerhouse and assembly bay, and

(iv) upper and lower intake and outlet structures, and

(v) works at the Stratford East Dam for a lower reservoir,

(b) the construction and operation of solar electricity generating works,

(c) the construction and operation of battery energy storage systems,

(d) the upgrade of electricity transmission lines,

(e) the construction and operation of an electrical substation to connect the pumped hydroelectric and generation works, solar electricity generating works and battery energy storage systems to the electricity transmission network,

(f) decommissioning works and rehabilitation of the site,

(g) the emplacement of excavated materials,

(h) transfer of water to and from the Stratford East Dam,

(i) ancillary development, including access tracks and roads, construction laydown areas, excavation, intersection upgrades, utilities and communications infrastructure, water transport and storage and water treatment facilities.

(2) In this section—

development does not include surveys, sampling, environmental investigations, geotechnical borehole drilling, test drilling, test excavations or other tests or investigations for the purposes of the preliminary design and assessment of the project.