Energyconnect will be constructing a worker accommodation camp at the corner of County Boundary Road and Lockhart Collingullie Road, Lockhart, to house workers during main construction activities as part of Transgrid’s construction of 700 kilometres of new power lines from the South Australia border to the regional energy hub of Wagga Wagga.

SecureEnergy has been contracted by Transgrid to deliver part of Project EnergyConnect with the construction of 700km of new power lines.

The project is due to be completed by early 2025.

Construction of the access point for the Lockhart camp was scheduled to commence late February 2023 with clearing and grubbing activities of the camp site to follow.

Occupancy of the Lockhart camp is expected in May this year and it will accommodate 240 project team members.

Construction of the access point for the Lockhart camp includes establishing vehicle access and egress points to ensure safe vehicle movements.

Crews will be working daily as required, Monday to Sunday 7am to 7pm in approved Out of Hours Work.

Lockhart Shire residents can expect to see crews using equipment such as a grader, excavator, rollers, water truck and tipper trucks while they construct the access point into the camp site.

Approved roads being used approved roads to carry out works are:

• State roads: Sturt Highway
• Regional roads: the Rock-Collingullie Road, East Street, Reid Street, Urana-Lockhart Road, Brookong Creek Road
• Local roads: Bullenbung Road, The Rock, County Boundary Road.

Workers will also be accessing water during the construction of the access point and will be using the existing water fill point located at East Street and Lockhart – The Rock Road.

The establishment and use of water supply points are required early in the overall construction program to support road upgrades and pre-construction minor works, and to facilitate the start of substantial construction.

An undertaking has been given that all work will be carried out in line with the project’s Conditions of Approval and Construction Environmental Plan.

The Project Team will use machinery that generates noise, light and vibration. To manage this work, they will:

• Minimise the number of plant/vehicles to be used
• Machinery will be turned off when not in use
• All works will be undertaken during dayshift hours however if lighting is required, direct temporary lighting down and away from residents
• Equipment will be fitted with devices to minimise noise, particularly reversing squawkers and they will monitor noise to manage any potential impacts and adjust work as required.

This article appeared in Narrandera Argus, 16 March 2023.