TasNetworks is pushing for landholders to sign agreements by December 1, 2025, to secure the $200,000/km Strategic Benefit Payment (SBP) plus CPI, as construction on the North-West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Media release – TasNetworks, 13 November 2025
Landholders urged to sign-on to benefits scheme as TasNetworks prepares for NWTD construction
Construction on the North-West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project will start in the first quarter of 2026.
NWTD is a once in a generation upgrade to Tasmania’s electricity network.
It will include new and upgraded transmission lines, substations and switching stations. The first stage spans about 130 kilometres – including three kms of greenfield – linking Cressy, Sheffield and Burnie as well as the critical connection to Marinus Link at Heybridge.
Through meaningful engagement with landholders directly impacted by the NWTD, TasNetworks has achieved voluntary access to 80 per cent of the transmission line route.
TasNetworks is confident that compensation for additional easement rights plus direct benefit-sharing in the form of the Strategic Benefit Payment (SBP) provides a fair, reasonable, and prudent approach to all landholders and enables this nationally significant project to progress.
The SBP of $200,000 per kilometre plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be paid to eligible private landholders in annual instalments over 20 years.
It’s important that landholders are aware of their eligibility requirements of the SBP and work with TasNetworks to complete a property management plan and/or sign an easement option agreement by 1 December 2025.
The deadline has been set to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget.
NWTD Project Director, Richard Sheather, encouraged remaining landholders to engage with their dedicated land agents before 1 December, 2025.
“Our absolute focus remains on continuing good faith negotiations with remaining landholders in the coming weeks to ensure they receive the maximum financial benefit available from this generational project,” Sheather said.
“TasNetworks has been engaging with landholders on NWTD since 2020, providing every opportunity for them to be heard and supported, and their preferences accommodated as far as possible.
“We are committed to start building NWTD in the first quarter of 2026. It’s our responsibility to build this project on time and on budget – for the Tasmanians who want the lowest possible prices, strong climate action, numerous clean energy careers, and enough electricity to support Tasmania and the nation’s growing future energy needs,” he said.
TasNetworks has submitted a contingent project application for major construction costs to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), who will determine the prudency and efficiency of all project expenditure, including compensation payments.
“TasNetworks has and will continue to treat all landholders in a fair and equitable manner to ensure they receive the appropriate compensation in line with independent valuations – we will continue to honour those independent valuations,” Sheather said.
NWTD will support new renewable energy developments and generate significant benefits and opportunities for Tasmanian communities and businesses, including keeping future power prices as low as possible.
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