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Botany Bay Cable Project Environmental Assessment 37 3 Description of the Project This chapter describes the Project in terms of the location of the proposed works; the proposed works themselves, construction methods; construction details, such as hours of work and the operation of the installed works. 3.1 Location of the Project The main element of the Project would be the laying of two new 132kV feeders from Kurnell STS to Bunnerong STS, via Botany Bay. The route alignment encompasses land based installation as well as a submarine installation. A map of the route can be found in Figure 1. Elevations of the route are shown in Figure 9. Route sections comprise: a trenched cable section of 3.2 kilometres on land between Bunnerong STS and La Perouse boreholes containing the cables, approximately 0.5 kilometres long, under Botany Bay National Park at La Perouse, taking the cables into the Bay a submarine cable section of 2.1 kilometres crossing Botany Bay a trenched cable section of 1.5 kilometres on land between Botany Bay Silver Beach and the Kurnell STS. The boreholes which are proposed to carry the cables underneath the National Park land at La Perouse would be drilled using a technique known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The HDD rig is proposed to be set up on land adjacent to the bus turning circle and which is adjacent to the National Park. Once the drilling is completed, the rig would be removed. Work is also proposed at both Bunnerong and Kurnell STSs to accommodate the new cables and to improve the STSs’ operational capacity and performance. The STSs and the proposed route are located as shown Figure 1. 3.2 Proposed works 3.2.1 Cable laying Each feeder comprises three cables which would be placed in one-on-top-of-two formation when installed. Individual cables would be between 120 and 140 millimetres in diameter. Additionally, a fibre optic cable of around 50 millimetres would be included in each cable bundle, installed in its own conduit. These fibre-optic cables provide for the relaying of information regarding electrical protection of the feeders. The works in the various sections along the proposed cable route are now described. Bunnerong STS to La Perouse: trenching The proposed route from Bunnerong STS to La Perouse is along Military Rd, turning into Bunnerong Road, continuing into Anzac Parade and terminating outside the National Park at La Perouse. A common trench would accommodate the two feeders. The trench would be constructed in road reserves and would be 1.2 metres deep and 1.2 metres wide. Boreholes under Botany Bay National Park, La Perouse From the trench termination point in Anzac Parade at La Perouse, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) would be used to take the cables underneath the National Park thus avoiding

Transcript of 3 Description of the Project

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Botany Bay Cable Project Environmental Assessment 37

3 Description of the Project

This chapter describes the Project in terms of the location of the proposed works; the proposed works themselves, construction methods; construction details, such as hours of work and the operation of the installed works.

3.1 Location of the Project The main element of the Project would be the laying of two new 132kV feeders from Kurnell STS to Bunnerong STS, via Botany Bay. The route alignment encompasses land based installation as well as a submarine installation. A map of the route can be found in Figure 1. Elevations of the route are shown in Figure 9.

Route sections comprise:

• a trenched cable section of 3.2 kilometres on land between Bunnerong STS and La Perouse

• boreholes containing the cables, approximately 0.5 kilometres long, under Botany Bay National Park at La Perouse, taking the cables into the Bay

• a submarine cable section of 2.1 kilometres crossing Botany Bay

• a trenched cable section of 1.5 kilometres on land between Botany Bay Silver Beach and the Kurnell STS.

The boreholes which are proposed to carry the cables underneath the National Park land at La Perouse would be drilled using a technique known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The HDD rig is proposed to be set up on land adjacent to the bus turning circle and which is adjacent to the National Park. Once the drilling is completed, the rig would be removed.

Work is also proposed at both Bunnerong and Kurnell STSs to accommodate the new cables and to improve the STSs’ operational capacity and performance. The STSs and the proposed route are located as shown Figure 1.

3.2 Proposed works

3.2.1 Cable laying Each feeder comprises three cables which would be placed in one-on-top-of-two formation when installed. Individual cables would be between 120 and 140 millimetres in diameter. Additionally, a fibre optic cable of around 50 millimetres would be included in each cable bundle, installed in its own conduit. These fibre-optic cables provide for the relaying of information regarding electrical protection of the feeders.

The works in the various sections along the proposed cable route are now described.

Bunnerong STS to La Perouse: trenching

The proposed route from Bunnerong STS to La Perouse is along Military Rd, turning into Bunnerong Road, continuing into Anzac Parade and terminating outside the National Park at La Perouse. A common trench would accommodate the two feeders. The trench would be constructed in road reserves and would be 1.2 metres deep and 1.2 metres wide.

Boreholes under Botany Bay National Park, La Perouse

From the trench termination point in Anzac Parade at La Perouse, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) would be used to take the cables underneath the National Park thus avoiding

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any physical interference with this heritage-rich area. Two boreholes are likely to be drilled. Each would be around 500 metres in length and approximately 800 millimetres in diameter. In the alternative, individual bores for each cable would be drilled; these bores would nominally be 350 millimetres in diameter. At their deepest, the bores would be 15 metres below ground.

Botany Bay crossing: submarine cable

Specialist equipment, potentially consisting of a water jetting machine possibly in conjunction with a chain cutter, would be used to bury the submarine cable in the Bay to a minimum depth of three metres below the bay floor in the main shipping channel and in the deeper waters, and 1.5 metres in the shallow water. Two trenches would be formed, 20 metres apart. The separation distance between the cables in the Bay is necessary for security of the cables, to effect cable repairs, if required, and ensure reliability.

Widening and deepening the shipping channel might be an option in the future development of the port. EnergyAustralia would require its contractor to include a “snake” section in the feeders so that if the feeders need to be placed lower in the seabed to accommodate a wider and/or deeper shipping channel there would be sufficient length in the feeders to do this.

Prince Charles Parade to Kurnell STS: trenching

The proposed landing point of the submarine cable at Kurnell is at the end of Captain Cook Drive near its intersection with Captain Cook Drive, outside and adjacent to Botany Bay National Park. The cables would be installed in road reserves. The excavation would be along Prince Charles Parade, turning into Silver Beach Road, then into Captain Cook Drive and finally turning into Kurnell STS.

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3.2.2 Substation works

Kurnell STS

At Kurnell STS, existing outdoor switchgear would be replaced with new indoor gas insulated switchgear including control and protection. This would require the construction of a new substation building, an underground oil retention tank and three transformer plinths and bays. This work will facilitate the progressive future retirement of the EnergyAustralia ‘zone’ substation on the eastern side of Captain Cook Drive and consolidation of EnergyAustralia’s substation infrastructure on the STS site.

An artist’s impression of the proposed substation building, looking at the site from Captain Cook Drive, is shown in Figure 10. More illustrations of the proposed works for the Kurnell STS are located in Section 7.12.4. Additional trees would be planted to screen the future development from the road side. EnergyAustralia would work with the Kurnell community to select the final design for the substation building.

Bunnerong STS

At Bunnerong STS, cables would be trenched into the site and re-emerge from the ground near where they would be connected to feeder bays. The location of the feeder bays are shown in Figure 11 on the south side of the substation site.

Figure 10: Early artist’s impression of proposed construction at Kurnell STS

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Figure 11: Feeder routes into Bunnerong STS

3.2.3 Future of Feeders 908 and 909 Feeders 908 and 908 would be decommissioned after the successful completion of the new Botany Bay feeders.

3.3 Construction methods Three construction methods are involved in the cable laying component of the Project:

• cable trenching on land

• placing cables in boreholes created through horizontal directional drilling

• laying cables in a submarine environment.

In addition, the development proposed at the STSs would require construction activities to be carried out. The construction methods involved for the above are now outlined.

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3.3.1 Land trenching of cables Trenching would be carried for the land sections on both sides of the Bay as described in Section 2.2 above.

Trench excavation

The installation of the cable on the land sections would be carried out using standard EnergyAustralia cable excavation, installation and backfill methods. The cable trench would be approximately 1.2 metres wide and approximately 1.2 metres deep. Greater covering would be employed where required to avoid existing services or utilities. Where required, existing services or utilities may be relocated to maintain cover that meets EnergyAustralia requirements. A diagrammatic representation of the cable trench with feeders installed is shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Cable trench with feeders installed (land sections)

Cable laying and trench backfilling

Two options currently exist for the laying of cables on the land sections of the route. The first involves excavation of an open trench for each cable segment followed by laying of the cable. The second involves excavation and installation of ducts, followed by progressive backfilling of the trench. The preferred option would be chosen based on possible effects on cable rating, traffic management and economical benefits.

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Open trench

If the open trench option is used, the trench would be excavated for each cable segment. Following excavation, the bottom of the trench would be laid to a depth of between 100 and 150 millimetres with a thermal material known as Fluidised Thermal Backfill® to help dissipate heat from the cables. The cables would be laid on this. Each feeder would consist of three cables in trefoil arrangement, with a minimum separation of 600 millimetres between the two feeders. Two fibre optic cables would accompany each cable bundle for monitoring purposes.

After cable installation, the excavated trench would be backfilled with the Fluidised Thermal Backfill®. Road base (250 millimetres deep) is then laid over the cable to allow reinstatement of the surface to the requirements of the relevant local council. Asphalt (50 millimetres deep) would be the normal surfacing material. None of the original material is replaced in the trench.

Cables in conduits

If the conduited cable option is used, excavation of the trench would be undertaken with progressive backfill. During the trench filling process, the bottom of the trench would be laid with Fluidised Thermal Backfill®. Following this, the ducts would be installed, consisting of six ducts in two bundles, with each bundle in trefoil formation. After conduit installation, the excavated trench would be backfilled with the Fluidised Thermal Backfill®. Road base, 250 millimetres deep, is then laid over the cable to allow reinstatement of the surface to the requirements of the relevant local council. Asphalt, 50 millimetres deep, would be the normal surfacing material. None of the original material is replaced in the trench.

The cables comprising the feeders would be pulled through the conduits at the conclusion of the trenching and backfilling process.

Cable jointing

Three joint bays would be required on the Kurnell side of the Bay, whilst approximately four would be required on the Bunnerong side of the Bay, however, this would be subject to final cable manufacturer’s design. These would include one transition joint bay at Silver Beach, Kurnell and La Perouse where the submarine cables interface with the land cables.

The land cable joints would be standard 132kV joints as used by EnergyAustralia within its current network.

A land to submarine cable trifurcating joint would be used at the shore landings because the proposed submarine cable would comprise three cores bound together and armoured to form one cable. Anchor pits may be installed to reduce the possibility of cable movement if an accident were to occur at sea.

The approximate location of the joint bays on the land cable is shown in Figure 13.

Spoil removal from trenching works

The trenching operations would produce approximately 8,000 cubic metres of spoil. This would be removed by truck.

Northern (Bunnerong) side

An estimated total of between 500 and 1,200 truck trips would be required to transport the spoil from the Bunnerong side of the Bay. It is estimated that excavation would take place at a rate of about 200 metres per day such that the maximum daily truck trip generation would be about 75 truck trips. It is estimated that less than 10%, or eight truck trips, would be generated during the morning and afternoon peak periods, assuming a worst case scenario where all spoil is removed by bogies. This rate of hourly and daily truck trip generation is well within the capacity of lower and higher order roads within the area. The impact of 75 daily and eight hourly truck trips upon intersection operation has been assessed as acceptable under the temporary road works scenario.

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Southern (Kurnell) side

On the Kurnell side of the Bay, where estimated total spoil volumes are much lower, anticipated truck trip generation is much lower. A total of between 210 – 560 truck trips would be required to transport the spoil. If these trips are spread over two weeks, total daily trip generation could be as low as 40 trips per day or four peak hour trips. If, however, the rate of excavation is similar to that assumed for the Bunnerong site, the maximum truck trip generation would also be about 75 truck trips per day or about eight truck trips per peak hour. Again, the impact from the proposed works on the operation of the road network has been assessed as acceptable.

Figure 13: Approximate location of the cable joint bays (subject to final design)

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3.3.2 Horizontal directional drilling at La Perouse

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment

The HDD contractor would use an appropriately sized drill rig to drill bores of the required diameter. Several options for drilling are currently being investigated. One involves two larger diameter bores, and another six smaller diameter bores. The equipment used and number of bores is dependent on the final design and the selected contractor for the Project, and the size of the drill rig would be commensurate to the size of the boreholes being drilled.

The drilling process is essentially the same regardless of the size of the bore. It is outlined below.

Horizontal directional drilling rig set-up

HDD equipment would be transported by truck to the drilling site adjacent to the bus turning circle on Anzac Parade (just outside of Botany Bay National Park). It is estimated that it would take two weeks to set up the drill rig at the site.

Drilling process

After set-up of the HDD equipment, a pilot hole would be drilled. First, the drill rig would be aligned to the drill path. Following this, drilling fluid would be pumped down the drill pipes. This provides high pressure jets for drilling softer materials or power to a down hole motor which drives a roller-cone bit in rock. The fluid is usually a mix of bentonite (an environmentally safe natural clay) and water. As well as providing drilling power, the fluid helps to consolidate the walls of the drill hole, acts as a lubricant, and carries spoil out of the hole. As the fluid comes back up the drill hole it is captured, filtered and recycled. The HDD operation would be a closed system, with spoil recovered from solution throughout the procedure.

The down hole drilling assembly would be guided by electronic steering instrumentation that transmits data in real time to a surface-based computer that allows the driller to precisely locate the drilling assembly and guide it along the pre-determined drill path. Should obstacles be encountered in the drilling, the drill path could be adjusted to avoid them.

If required, reaming would be undertaken to enlarge the pilot hole to the required size for the feeders. This is undertaken with a back reamer, which replaces the drilling assembly.

Following the final reaming pass, a HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipe would be drawn back behind the reamer. To install the pipe, divers would first sink the HDPE piping into Botany Bay, and align it with the exit point of the HDD bore. Following this, a reaming bit would be attached to the drill end to ensure the bore is clean. The HDPE piping would be attached to this with a separation of approximately two metres. The reaming bit, together with the HDPE casing, would then be drawn back up the bore to the surface at the HDD rig. Subsequent to installation, this product pipe would then be hydrostatically tested to ensure its integrity.

Spoil removal

The HDD operations would produce approximately 500 cubic metres of spoil. This would be removed by truck from the drilling site. It is estimated that approximately 90 truck movements would be required over the three month drilling period to remove this spoil. This approximates to one truck movement per day for spoil removal. It is expected that the spoil would taken to a local landfill site.

Cable installation

Cable installation into the HDD bores would be undertaken as part of the submarine cable construction process, as discussed in detail in Section 2.3.3 below.

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3.3.3 Submarine cable

Barge set-up

It would take approximately 25 days to prepare the barge for the cable laying. This includes setting up the barge with the required machinery to lay the cable and affect the submarine trenching, as well as several days required to transfer the cable coils from the transport ship onto the cable-laying barge.

Trenching

Trenching would most likely be undertaken using a machine on the Bay floor, which excavates a trench with high pressure water jets. Machines are generally manufactured in-house by cable-laying contractors, and so their designs are proprietary. However, the process for excavating the sea bed trench can be generally described. Two designs are dominant.

The first design uses a machine that straddles the pre-laid cable bundle on the sea bed and is dragged across the sea bed. A series of vertical and lateral jets remove the sediment beneath the machine, forming a trench below the sea bed sufficient to allow the cable bundle to sink to the bottom of the trench with a minimum 1.5 metres cover, but with machine capacity to bury the bundle with a minimum three metres cover. The width of this trench would be less than 400 millimetres, and the sides (which would be in the order of 1.5 metres high) would remain temporarily near-vertical. The trench generally, would not be back-filled, but would be allowed to back-fill under natural tidal current and wave processes. However, depending on the type of machinery used the trench could be mechanically collapsed and reinstated. Therefore, where seagrasses are proposed to be disturbed by this process; the trenching would be carried out in accordance with a Seagrass Management Plan, (refer to Section 7.4.4).

The second design uses a machine that is similar to the first, however it is dragged across the sea bed immediately before the laying of the cable, and the cable is then laid in the excavated trench and is able to cut a deeper trench by virtue of its larger size and the fact that it would be equipped with a greater number of more powerful jets. Furthermore, it may include a venturi to discharge the extracted sediments further away from the trench. Other trenching machines incorporate into their design a chain cutter, which works in a similar fashion to a chainsaw. It is mounted on the front of the trenching machine, and if organic debris is encountered (such as a partially buried tree trunk) the chain cutter cuts through the debris, allowing unhindered progress of the trenching machine.

A less likely scenario is trenching using an underwater ‘excavator’ which would operate in a similar fashion to a land based excavator. The sea bed is displaced physically using a shovel-type blade or similar.

The trench would be excavated to a minimum three metres deep in deep water, and a minimum 1.5 metres deep in shallow water, as shown in Figure 9.

Cable laying

Two options exist for the laying of the submarine cable:

1. cable laying followed by trenching to bury the cable

2. trenching followed by cable laying in the pre-formed trench.

Both options would start at the end of the HDD bore, off Bare Island at La Perouse. Cable installation would begin with cable deployment off the barge and back up the HDD bore to the La Perouse jointing bay. Cable laying would then proceed from the northern to the southern side of the Bay.

Regardless of the option used, an alternative method would likely be used in shallow water between the mean low and high water mark at Silver Beach on the Kurnell side. Trenching there would be effected by the use of an excavator with a long boom arm.

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Cable laying followed by trenching

If this option were selected, the cables for the first feeder would gradually be deployed off the barge and sunk in their position across the Bay. After the cables had been sunk to the Bay floor, the cable laying barge would move along the cables excavating the trench to the required depth. The cables would sink into the trench as it was created under their own weight. This process would be repeated for the second feeder, maintaining 20 metres separation between the two.

Each feeder comprises three cables, and it is possible to install multiple cables at a time using this method, however, this would be subject to the contractor’s preference.

The trenches would be permitted to naturally backfill, except in the area of seagrasses, (refer to Section 5.4.4).

Trenching followed by cable laying

If this option were selected, the barge would proceed across Botany Bay from north to south. The water jetting machine would excavate the trench, and the submarine cables would be laid immediately into the newly excavated trench. This process would be repeated for the second feeder, maintaining 20 metres separation between the two.

Like the first methodology, it is possible to install multiple cables at a time using this technique, however, this would be subject to the contractor’s proposed methodology.

The trench would be permitted to naturally backfill, except in the area of seagrasses (refer to Section 5.4.4).

The submarine cable installation would consist of two circuits with each made up of three cables (ranging between 120 and 140 millimetres in diameter), and a fibre optic cable of approximately 50mm diameter.

There are two main options for the laying arrangement of the cables, namely:

1. separate cables with a minimum separation distance between each cable of five metres, i.e. six trenches would be required

2. bundled cables in trefoil formation, i.e. two trenches would be required.

The cable laying arrangement would be selected by the contractor to suit its installation method. The environmental impacts which would result from either cable laying method would be very similar.

Separate cable placement would be relatively quick due to the lesser amount of spoil to be displaced but would require more crossings to complete (up to six). Conversely, a bundled arrangement would result in slower progress but only two crossings. It is likely that the cable would be laid from north to south, so as to start from the HDD exit at La Perouse.

Preliminary information has indicated that placement of the cable could progress at around one to four metres per minute based on laying one cable at a time, taking a total of approximately four hours for each crossing. It is envisaged that weather dependant, the laying would take approximately four weeks for the six cables to be laid. The equipment is likely to use Ports’ facilities and be anchored in the Bay if for some reason it is not in use.

Further investigations necessary prior to cable installation

A number of investigations have been carried out by EnergyAustralia already to develop the concept for the cable crossing, however, the successful contractor would need to carry out more detailed investigations to confirm the concept design and undertake the detailed design of the crossing and confirmation of the final construction methodology.

Preliminary inquires have indicated that the following investigations would be carried out:

• Field survey – to define an optimum cable route, avoiding obstacles and optimising cable laying, trenching and additional protection, and determine actual cable length needed.

• Pre-lay survey – to locate and where necessary remove as many out of service cables and small obstacles as possible (using various devices such as an echo

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sounder, side scan sonar, ROV with video and light system and cable and pipe tracking systems).

• Sea bed samples along the route of the cable instalments – to determine thermal resistivity and temperature of sea bed (to check for thermal bottlenecks along the cable), and the particle size distribution and undrained shear strength of subsurface (for trenching evaluation).

Trenching in seagrass areas

The cable route is proposed to pass through a seagrass bed just north of the National Park at Kurnell. Seagrass beds are recognised as playing important roles in estuarine community structure and function. The bed contains the seagrass species Posidonia australis which has been shown to be difficult to grow, or regrow if disturbed. EnergyAustralia would have a Seagrass Management Plan prepared in consultation with DPI Fisheries which would, amongst other things, set out specific damage minimisation and remediation measures for impacted areas for example, going around the edges of the seagrass. The framework for the establishment of this Plan is set out in Appendix D.

EnergyAustralia would require the contractor to bundle the cables in each feeder through the Posidonia beds, thus limiting the number of trenches to two. The 20 metre separation distance between feeders would not apply here, as the feeders would converge towards the shoreline. (Refer also to Section 2.2.2 - Posidonia bed options).

3.3.4 Subtransmission substation works

Bunnerong STS

The following works are required in order to construct two additional feeder bays at Bunnerong STS to facilitate connection of the new cables:

• vegetation clearing and levelling of the feeder bay areas

• excavation of earth and installation of massed concrete footings for additional equipment including two isolator footings, one circuit breaker footing, six sealing end footings and GIS bay footing

• excavation and installation of cable chases to provide connection of secondary control and protection cables to new equipment

• installation of electrical equipment

• scaffolding during the termination of feeder cables.

Kurnell STS

The following work would be necessary for the construction of the development proposed at the Kurnell STS:

• excavation to a depth of approximately two metres for construction of basement

• extensive cable excavation within the substation boundary for connection of existing circuits to new switchgear equipment

• relocation of existing kiosk substations

• construction of new substation building

• construction of new transformer roadway and transformer enclosures

• installation of 132kV reactors including excavation and installation of massed concrete footings

• installation of control and protection equipment within new building

• installation of 11kV switchgear within the new building

• installation of 132kV switchgear within the new building

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• excavation and conduit laying for connection of 11kV circuits to new building

• demolition of existing outdoor substation yard equipment.

3.4 Construction details

3.4.1 Capital investment value The capital investment value of the Project is estimated to be approximately $120 million, comprising $70 million for the cable component and $50 million for the Bunnerong and Kurnell STS works.

3.4.2 Strategy for the delivery of the Project The substation works at Kurnell and Bunnerong STSs would potentially be delivered under respective single construction contracts for the civil works, followed by fit out of electrical equipment and commissioning by EnergyAustralia.

The cable component of the Project, however, would be delivered under a turnkey strategy, where a single contractor is utilised for the manufacture, supply and installation of the cable along the entire route length. Final connections and commissioning of the cables, however, would be carried out by EnergyAustralia.

Any revisions to the design to accommodate changes to the Project in response to submissions received on this Environmental Assessment, or conditions imposed as part of the planning approvals process, would be carried out by EnergyAustralia’s designer or chosen contractor (as appropriate).

3.4.3 Timing The key milestones in regard to the delivery of the Project are set out in Table 6.

Table 6: Key milestones for the Project

Milestone Date (tentative)

Conditions of consent by the Planning Minister September 2007

Award contract December 2007

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operation complete September 2008

Submarine cable installation complete November 2008

Land cable installation complete November 2008

Initial substation works complete* May 2009

Commissioning of cables May 2009

* Works would continue until 2010

Trenching operations for the entire works would take approximately five months, in total, to complete. However, this is separated into two sections with estimated timing broken down as follows:

• excavate trench and install cable at Bunnerong side of Bay: three months

• excavate trench and install cable at Kurnell side of Bay: two months

• joint cables: 50 days (undertaken in parallel to trench excavation and cable installation)

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The HDD operation would take approximately four to six months to complete, as follows:

• mobilise HDD equipment (source it and set up at site): 25 days

• drill HDD bores: 60 Days

• install HDPE (high density polyethylene) casing:10 days

• install cable: Undertaken as part of submarine cable installation.

The submarine cable operation would take approximately two months to complete. The timing is broken down as follows:

• prepare barge for cable: 25 days

• transfer cable between transportation vessel and cable laying barge: two days

• lay and bury submarine cable: 30 days.

Approximately 24 months would be required for construction and equipping of the Kurnell site, with commissioning to follow. Around three months would be required for the installation of equipment at Bunnerong, not including cable termination work and commissioning. Complete changeover from the old to the new switchgear would take approximately six months.

In addition to the overall program outlined above, EnergyAustralia would time construction activities as much as is practically and reasonably possible to minimise the impact on the public of their use of the public amenities, such as the La Perouse and Silver Beach areas.

3.4.4 Construction workforce and working hours The construction of the Project is expected to employ approximately 20 full time equivalent construction jobs during the construction period.

Construction would generally take place between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday from 7.30am to 1pm. No work would be carried out on Sundays or public holidays. Where necessary, for instance in the laying of the submarine cable, construction at other times may be required.

3.4.5 Interaction with other utilities By trenching in road reserves for the land sections of the cable route, EnergyAustralia would reduce potential interference with utilities and services. Nevertheless, EnergyAustralia would liaise closely with service providers (including Sydney Water, Telstra, AGL, Caltex and Randwick City Council and Sutherland Shire Council) to ensure existing services and utilities are maintained at all times.

3.4.6 Commissioning of the Project

Cables

Once each feeder is installed and clamped into position, EnergyAustralia would carry out a number of tests and checks on the feeders, including checking the protection of each cable and the circuit breaker settings. The circuits would then be placed in ‘soak’ mode on ‘no load’ volts for 48 hours before being placed into service.

Subtransmission substations (STSs)

A commissioning plan for the STSs would be developed to ensure that supply is maintained throughout the commissioning and changeover process.

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3.5 Operation of the Project

3.5.1 Cable installations

Electricity transmission

The cables would transmit electricity continuously, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, with the exception of planned maintenance outages.

The power transfer ratings would be based on cyclic loading.

Maintenance requirements

Periodic checks of the cable sheath would be undertaken at cable cross bonding points located along the route. This would have negligible impact on the community.

Continuous cable monitoring would be undertaken using the installed fibre optic cables which would be connected to EnergyAustralia’s communications network via the head office control room.

Security provisions

Because of the trenching, HDD and submarine construction methods used for cable construction, the proposed cable would be secure from unauthorised access.

3.5.2 Subtransmission substations The STSs are secured in accordance with EnergyAustralia’s security procedures. They are in operation 24 hours a day 365 days a year, with maintenance being carried out on a regular basis in accordance with relevant EnergyAustralia’s network standards.