Transgrid and Elecnor Project Energy Connect Construction Completion Celebration
RDA Riverina Chair Brett Stonestreet and Operations Manager Amanda Cappello were pleased to attend the celebration marking the construction completion milestone of EnergyConnect, Australia’s largest electricity transmission project, at the new world‑class Dinawan Substation near Bundure.
The event brought together representatives from regional councils, industry, community organisations and project partners to recognise the scale and significance of EnergyConnect and its role in strengthening Australia’s energy network.
The celebration commenced with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Michael Lyons, a respected Indigenous Elder. This was followed by dance performances by the Dinawan Connection Dancers, providing a meaningful and locally grounded opening to the event.
Speakers included Michael Johnston from Transgrid, Ivan Varas and Ruth McGrath, Mayor of Murrumbidgee Council, who reflected on the project andimportance of ensuring lasting regional benefits.
EnergyConnect represents a major investment in southern NSW, delivering significant transmission infrastructure and new substations, including at Dinawan, Buronga and Wagga Wagga. Projects of this scale reinforce the importance of early and ongoing workforce planning to ensure regional communities can participate in, and benefit from, major infrastructure delivery.
RDA Riverina’s involvement in events such as this connects directly to Transgrid and RDA Riverina’s $1.5 million Workforce Development Strategic Partnership, which has supported education, training and workforce development initiatives across the Riverina over the past three years.
Through this partnership, RDA Riverina has worked closely with Transgrid to deliver place‑based workforce initiatives that support skills development, local employment pathways, workforce attraction and regional readiness for major projects.
RDA Riverina has greatly valued the opportunity to collaborate with Transgrid through this partnership and acknowledges Transgrid’s commitment to working alongside regional organisations to deliver practical, locally informed workforce outcomes. The partnership has demonstrated the value of strong collaboration between infrastructure projects and regional development organisations in achieving sustainable outcomes for communities.
L-R: Nicole Ryan, General Manager of Government, Stakeholder and Advocacy, Transgrid, Amanda Cappello, Operations Manager, RDA Riverina, Trish Marinozzi, Senior Manager Strategic Engagement and Integration, Transgrid, Brett Stonestreet, Chair, RDA Riverina, Emma Van Biljon, Community and Stakeholder Manager, Major Projects, Transgrid
L-R: Trish Marinozzi, Senior Manager Strategic Engagement and Integration, Transgrid, Serina Hardwick, Regional Director - Riverina Murray, Business NSW, and Amanda Cappello, Operations Manager, RDA Riverina
Dinawan Connection Dancers
Ruth McRae OAM, Mayor, Murrumbidgee Council
Gordon Taylor, Executive General Manager - Major Projects, Transgrid
Michael Johnston, General Manager Community, First Nations and Social Legacy, Transgrid and Brett Stonestreet, Chair, RDA Riverina
