ElectraNet with Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation

Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation

Winner: Community - Energy sector

Project: Eyre Peninsula Link (EPLink) Cultural Heritage Monitoring Program

ElectraNet Pty Ltd is the owner and operator of South Australia's electricity transmission network and continues to play a critical role in connecting new generation opportunities alongside maintaining the high voltage network safety and efficiently.

Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (BDAC) is the official registered native title body corporate, appointed by order of the Federal Court of Australia to manage the Barngarla Determination. The Barngarla Determination covers the land and waters as defined on the map shown within the National Native Title Tribunal website (www.nntt.gov.au) and are responsible for managing and maintaining their country, culture and heritage.

The Eyre Peninsula Link (EPLink) project involved the construction of 270 kilometres of high-voltage transmission line from Cultana to Port Lincoln and provided an invaluable opportunity for the Barngarla community to reconnect people, land, culture and heritage.

Over a period of 30 months, 86 Barngarla people participated in cultural and heritage monitoring to ensure their country and culture was protected as works proceeded. This led to reuniting family and passing on wisdom from elders to youth. This has culminated in strong feelings of pride, connection and understanding of a shared responsibility for protecting cultural legacies.

The impact of this project goes beyond electricity transmission – symbolising the convergence of community, culture, and sustainable infrastructure development. The innovation lies in collaboration, maximising outcomes by embracing and encouraging partnerships, heritage preservation, the importance of community and effective use of technology in delivering a project that will power the Eyre Peninsula into the future.