The federal government has sought to head off a growing backlash from communities affected by proposed high-voltage transmission lines by launching a review of how projects are planned.
The federal government has sought to head off a growing backlash from communities affected by proposed high-voltage transmission lines by launching a review of how projects are planned.
I’ll add that in theory it takes longer to install underground transmission lines (although community opposition of overhead lines could change that calculus). This is relevant because a significant number of investors won’t invest their money unless they have certainty that the transmission lines will be ready when they are finished building. I’d prefer the government just build the bulk renewables (wind and solar), but for better or worse most governments would prefer to outsource some or most of the work to private investment.
Here’s a PDF from TransGrid related to HumeLink, which outlines some of the pros/cons for that project specifically.
EDIT: And the full study.