In its latest update, Snowy Hydro has advised that a new tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be deployed to help keep the Snowy 2.0 project on its delivery timeline.
New ground testing techniques have provided a better understanding of the full extent of a complex fault zone on the route of the 17km tunnel that will connect Snowy 2.0’s upper reservoir to its underground power station.
Snowy Hydro CEO, Dennis Barnes, said activating a fourth tunnel boring machine is the right course of action, given that what is now known about the tunnelling challenges ahead has provided the opportunity to mature the design.
Subject to planning approval, the new machine – costing around $75M – is expected to be operating before the end of 2025.
Following community consultation, a modification to the project has been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and will be subject to the department’s independent community consultation and assessment processes.
“We’re mindful that we are building Snowy 2.0 in a precious and protected national park,” Mr Barnes said.
“We have worked diligently to arrive at a proposal that does not step outside our existing construction area or increase our already approved impacts.
“The Snowy 2.0 team is working hard to protect the sensitive environments we operate in.”
Fauna underpasses have been built on Ravine Road at Lobs Hole to allow a safe crossing for native species such as the Smoky Mouse.
Special cameras installed on these crossings assist with monitoring activities, recording the movement of many native animals including lizards, snakes and the Eastern Pygmy Possum.
“This successful use of the Lobs Hole fauna underpasses by native animals has led to the installation of additional crossings on Marica Trail at the Marica worksite,” Mr Barnes added.
In other works, underground at Lobs Hole excavation of the access tunnels and temporary construction tunnels is about 85 per cent complete, while the development of the two caverns for the power station complex is approximately 25 per cent complete.
More than 50 per cent of the brackets (known as corbels) that will hold the temporary construction cranes to build the underground power station have been installed in the two caverns.
Approximately 16,000 rock bolts have been installed in the roof of the two caverns to stabilise the rock after excavation has been completed.
Excavation of the Talbingo intake is nearing completion and the first drill and blast activities for the connection to the tunnel that will link the lower Talbingo Reservoir to the underground power station (known as the tailrace tunnel) have commenced.
This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 19 September 2024.