The Tully to Innisfail transmission line being built by Powerlink is needed to ensure the reliability of high voltage electricity supply to Far North Queensland, Australia, including the communities of Innisfail, El Arish and Mission Beach. Powerlink is a government-owned corporation that owns, develops, operates and maintains Queensland’s high-voltage electricity transmission network. Construction of the new transmission line, which commenced in October 2006, is well advanced, with work occurring at various locations between Tully and Innisfail. The line will be dual voltage, double circuit with one circuit at 275 kV and the other circuit at 132 kV. The new transmission line is expected to be completed in the first half of 2008 (weather permitting).

Vegetation management and access track works have been completed in most locations. Only a small amount of selective mid-span clearing remains.

More than 114 of the 163 foundations for the new transmission line have been completed: Work to prepare tower foundations continued in the southern section of the line during
the remainder of 2007.

More than 94 of the 162 towers for the new transmission line have been erected. Tower erection activities will continue in the southern section of the line in early 2008 (weather permitting).

A helicopter will be used to pull the conductors (wires) onto the new towers. The helicopter work commenced in late October 2007 and will continue throughout the first
half of 2008.