TasNetworks

TasNetworks offers all team members three days of volunteering leave each year, empowering them to contribute to causes that matter most to them. Earlier this week, a team of 17 of our dedicated employees volunteered at Hobart City Mission’s Christmas Assistance Program, distributing over a thousand toys and more than 2,000 food and self-care packs to Tasmanians in tough times. We’re incredibly proud of the work that Hobart City Mission does and grateful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand. Opportunities like this reflect our commitment to supporting the communities we serve. A big thank you to Hobart City Mission for their incredible work and for letting us be part of something so special.

There will be several benefits to the Scottsdale and surrounding communities following the completion of a new TasNetworks depot in the town. The depot, which was officially opened last week, serves not only Scottsdale, but surrounding areas as far as Lebrina, Weldborough, Ansons Bay, Cape Portland and others that are difficult to service from the nearest depot at Rocherlea. The new depot is double the size of the original, which was inadequate for the numbers of vehicles and people onsite. Some other benefits are improved storage of assets including poles, transformers, a vehicle wash bay, which is suitable for large trucks, and with EV chargers and solar panels, it also supports our net zero emissions targets. And, of course, the native garden and indigenous artwork connect us to the land and its people, reinforcing our respect for the environment and local culture. We welcome the new depot and we’re sure it will help us to continue to deliver our services to Scottsdale and wider communities. Main photo thanks to Rachel Williams, North-Eastern Advertiser.

This week, over 30 participants from across TasNetworks have further strengthened their engagement capabilities by completing our inaugural Engagement Leadership Training Program. Over six days, the group immersed themselves in a rich learning experience, featuring insightful discussions and presentations from subject matter experts and seasoned practitioners with deep expertise in energy sector engagement. The program concluded with a compelling panel discussion with Lived Experience advocates Jeff, Kerrie and Rosie, expertly facilitated by Dr Lucy Mercer-Mapstone, giving us a greater understanding of lived experience advocacy, best practice approaches and examples. We’re deeply committed to improving how we engage with our customers and stakeholders. This program is one of the ways we’re working to elevate our engagement from good practice to best practice, so that customers and stakeholders have every opportunity possible to genuinely shape our decision making.

Over the past few weeks, members of our Customer and Stakeholder Advisory Groups took part in our Electricity and Infrastructure Awareness course at our Training Centre in Mornington. These members have been selected to represent our broader customer base and the energy supply chain. They’ll meet at least four times a year, bringing their collective knowledge, lived experience and technical expertise to consider issues and initiatives of interest to Tasmanian energy users and ensure TasNetworks is making decisions in the best interests of our customers. During training members explored: ⚡️ how our distribution and transmission networks move electricity from where it’s produced to where it’s used ⚡️ how to tell the difference between high and low voltage powerlines and assets ⚡️ some of the dangers of working with electricity and how to safely navigate situations like fallen powerlines, or what it means to have a broken neutral on your property. Members were also treated to a tour of our training yard where we were lucky enough to see the next generation of TasNetworks’ line workers completing their final apprenticeship assessments. This course is just one of a handful of activities we have planned to help deepen members’ understanding of the complexities of energy and safely managing our infrastructure. Keep an eye out in early 2025 when we’ll be hitting the road with members to visit key assets in Tasmania’s energy supply chain. Read more about our engagement groups here. https://lnkd.in/g_fhpABD #TasNetworks #CustomerEngagement #StakeholderEngagement

The rural community of Mole Creek has welcomed summer with the long-awaited reopening of the Mole Creek Swimming Pool, following two years of closure. Due to a critical shortage of trained lifeguards, the pool has been unable to operate, depriving this community of a valued recreational resource. Royal Life Saving Tasmania was successful in obtaining funding through TasNetworks’ Community Grants Program to provide vital training for 14 lifeguards who will volunteer their time at the pool this summer. Ranging in age from 16 to 66, the lifeguards were trained at the end of September and the Mole Creek Progress Association managed the cleaning, maintenance and refilling of the pool to ensure it could reopen in time for the school holidays. TasNetworks’ support will provide practical and long-lasting benefits, including for the local school children who now have somewhere safe and accessible to learn to swim. Through this assistance, we aim to help build resilience, encourage strong social connections and prioritise the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians.

Earlier this week, our CEO, Seán Mc Goldrick, hosted the December meeting of the Energy Charter CEO Forum, which focussed on ‘Putting Humans at the Heart of the Energy Transition’. Seán was pleased to launch the ‘Understanding Australian Transmission Projects Resource Hub’, where resources are available to support landholders and communities learn more about electricity transmission in Australia. You can read more at https://lnkd.in/gEQ7UpR6

We are committed to keeping Tasmanians safe while preserving the natural beauty of our state. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new $80,000 partnership with The Derwent Catchment Project to help enhance bushfire prevention and protect biodiversity. This partnership focuses on managing weeds, restoring waterways, and replanting vegetation across 16 high-value sites, spanning from Molesworth and Boyer to the Central Highlands. By working together, we’re not only reducing bushfire risks around our infrastructure but also safeguarding Tasmania’s unique ecosystems for future generations. As our Head of Health, Safety, and Environment, Edward Chetcuti puts it: “Success is the bushfire that never happened because we worked quietly in the background with our partners – like the Derwent Catchment Project – to protect communities.” This collaboration is part of our broader bushfire prevention efforts, including our recently completed $5 million ‘Bushfire Cut,’ which cleared vegetation from 11,500 high-risk powerline spans. Special thanks to Thomas Webster, Anne G. Josie Kelman, Morgan McPherson and especially Pippa, the phytophthora detection dog. Phytophthora dieback (dieback; caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi) is one of the greatest plant disease threats to Australia’s natural environment and natural heritage. It is considered the second greatest threat to threatened species in Australia (rabbits are number 1) We’re proud to play a part in building a safer, greener future for Tasmania. 💚 #Sustainability #BushfirePrevention #Partnerships #EnvironmentalStewardship #PoweringABrighterFuture

Our Summer Student and Career Revive programs have kicked off for 2024/2025! The first learning session was hosted last Friday where our participants came together and learned more about our business and the energy sector. Both programs run for 12 weeks and are packed with learning sessions and hands-on activities which include on-site Day Tours in collaboration with Hydro Tasmania. Both initiatives offer opportunities to work alongside industry experts, gain valuable insight into the Tasmanian Energy Industry and have the opportunity to contribute ideas and knowledge in a supportive team environment. A warm welcome to our new Summer Student and Career Revive program participants 🥰 #Careers #CareerOpportunities #PoweringABrightFuture

At TasNetworks, we believe in supporting initiatives that provide real, tangible benefits to our communities. That’s why we donated $10,000 to Backpack Bed for Homeless, Australia, an award-winning Australian charity making a global impact. This donation directly delivered 60 Backpack Beds and 90 sleeping bags to three charities across Tasmania: South - Salvation Army Hobart North - Launceston City Mission North West - Gran’s Van These high-quality, portable beds and sleeping bags offer immediate relief to people experiencing homelessness, providing safety, dignity, and warmth in challenging times. Our Executive People and Stakeholder, Renee, met with Nicole from the Salvation Army to see the impact firsthand. This kind of support not only meets an urgent need but also strengthens the capacity of local charities to serve our most vulnerable. We’re proud to partner with organisations making a difference, ensuring Tasmanians have access to practical and life-changing assistance.