Western Australia’s Southwest is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, home to unique plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. As part of the Clean Energy Link program, our environmental team is playing a vital role in protecting this rich natural heritage while supporting a reliable energy future.

Within the Southwest Interconnected Network, specialists are actively mapping and managing Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) by:

• Fieldwalking transmission lines
• Assessing infrastructure such as poles and access tracks
• Observing surrounding ecosystem and recording plant and animal species
• Carefully evaluating how routine and future works may impact local flora and fauna

Their findings are embedded into advanced mapping systems, creating real-time awareness of sensitive zones across the network. Clear ESA signage is also installed on poles and access points, encouraging crews and contractors to take extra care when working in these environments.

Detailed flora and fauna surveys are conducted along key project corridors, including the Clean Energy Link. This proactive approach makes sure potential environmental impacts are identified early, enabling effective strategies, approvals, and stronger protection measures before construction begins.

By combining flora and fauna surveying with infrastructure planning, the team is helping safeguard rare and vulnerable species so that as we expand and strengthen the grid, we also protect the ecosystems that make the South-west so unique. Protecting nature as we build a network for life, all life.

Click here to see more on the Clean Energy Link Flora and Fauna Surveys.