EnergyCo has rescheduled aerial survey work for the New England Renewable Energy Zone, pushing the operation back from mid-July to September in response to feedback from the farming community.
The survey covers the project corridor between Muswellbrook and Armidale and is expected to take up to 10 days to complete once it begins.
EnergyCo says the change reflects an effort to avoid particularly sensitive periods for farmers, while still meeting its overall planning timeframes for the New England REZ.
A number of measures have been put in place to reduce the survey’s impact on farming operations. These include flying at a higher altitude than required under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, removing hover points, and maintaining an operating speed intended to cut down on noise and disturbance.
The flight path has also been designed to avoid areas considered more sensitive to aircraft activity, with the operator planning to steer clear of direct flights over concentrations of livestock.
EnergyCo says it remains committed to planning its activities with the least possible impact and is encouraging landholders to keep sharing feedback with its team as work continues.
