Cultural Heritage
Powerlink takes a cohesive and positive approach to the management of cultural heritage on our easements and substation sites.
In addressing our duty of care for avoiding harm to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, we work with the Aboriginal Parties associated with the land our proposed transmission assets pass over. A significant part of this process is the execution of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan specific to each Aboriginal Party with an interest in the land associated with each Powerlink construction project.
Protecting the Kabi Kabi People's Heritage near Teebar Creek Substation
Our goal is to engage with the Aboriginal Parties and to establish positive long term relationships to enable the management of cultural heritage on Powerlink’s transmission line easements and substation sites.
Powerlink works to build relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal Parties in advance of construction projects to facilitate the effective resolution of any Aboriginal Cultural Heritage matters that arise not only during construction, but also during the subsequent operation and maintenance activities.
A recent example of Powerlink's approach to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage was during the development of Powerlink’s Teebar Creek Substation. This substation was identified by the Kabi Kabi people to be a site of significance. Though the CHMP process and engagement with Kabi Kabi elders, an agreement was reached on how to best manage the site to protect the cultural heritage of the site and complete the building work.
A significant site of European cultural heritage was found during the development of the Abermain Substation. Powerlink is working with the Ipswich Rotary Club to manage the restoration works for this site, significant for its European mining history. Powerlink and the Ipswich Rotary Club intend to place the site on the State Historic Register and see its inclusion in the Mining Heritage Trail.