Environmental planning updates

We hope everyone is now feeling confident with the new SER system!

Your feedback has been invaluable, and we’re continuously making improvements based on what we hear.

Please note that we are in the process of updating our SER training to align with the new form.

Recent Enhancements to Ausgrid's SER Form

• Improved clarity through various text and formatting updates.
• Raised project cost threshold for SER triggers to over $20M. From
• February 2026, these SERs must be published on Ausgrid’s website.
• New ‘Ausgrid key contact email’ field: When populated, this address will receive notifications of SER status changes.
• Added ‘Save’ button in the SER portal to allow saving without navigating forward and back.
• Resolved text box auto-sizing issues for better usability.
• Expanded CRM portal functionality with additional columns for more comprehensive searches.
• Fixed auto-save issue that occurred after verifier changes.
• Introduced ESU admin feature to reallocate draft SERs.
• Added ‘Save PDF’ button to generate a draft SER PDF for circulation and feedback.
• Included draft SER PDF in verification emails for easier review.
• Corrected missing verifier comments in SER approval emails.
• Fixed saving error caused by colons in project numbers.
• Implemented automated summary of key discussion points at the front of the SER for use in pre-work discussions.

SER attachments

• No overall size limit, but single attachments are capped at 50MB.
• SER information, including attachments, must be readily available on-site during construction. Please name your attachments so they can be readily identified and avoid using zip files.
• Always include plans referenced in notification letters when attaching them to SERs as a record of information provided.

Trenching near trees

Recent incidents have occurred due to trenching within the Structural Root Zone (SRZ). To prevent damage, all trees within 15 metres of proposed excavations must be assessed for potential impacts.

• The TPZ calculator and Environmental Handbook recently been updated to make it easier to identify both the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) and Structural Root Zone (SRZ), along with their associated requirements.
• Where specific controls apply, the SRZ and/or TPZ should be clearly shown on the design drawings, together with TPZ calculations and proposed mitigation measures.

Update to guidance

Prerequisites for preparing/submitting SERs – Ausgrid ASPs and others

SERs must be completed by individuals who are appropriately trained and possess a solid understanding of both the project scope and the surrounding environment. In general, these individuals can undertake the assessment described in NS174A without needing to consult environmental specialists - unless specified within the SER form. If the SER identifies Level 3 environmental issues, it must be referred to and verified exclusively by Environmental Services.

To be eligible to prepare an SER, individuals must:

• Have successfully completed Ausgrid's SER Training (ET 005) within the past two years, and
• Be one of the following:
  1. An Ausgrid employee or Authorised ASP3 with relevant electrical or environmental qualifications and a minimum of two years' experience in electrical and/or environmental work,
  2. An authorised person (with similar qualifications and experience), approved by the Manager-Environmental Services.
• Have a WebGIS EL report that covers the Study Area for the project.

To be eligible to generate a WebGIS EL report, individuals must:

• Have been granted access to WebGIS, and
• Have completed Ausgrid's WebGIS-Environmental Layers training, and
• Be an Ausgrid employee or Authorised ASP3 with relevant electrical or environmental qualifications and a minimum of two years' experience in electrical an/or environmental work

Please contact: environmentalservices@ausgrid.com.au for further information.

New SER System Live

Ausgrid has officially launched its new web-based Summary Environmental Report (SER) system, replacing the legacy 'eforms' platform. The transition addresses long-standing technical issues and outdated software limitations.

The new system is accessible via Ausgrid's Customer Portal and is now the standard for all new SER submissions.

Key Dates

• 7 July - New SER system goes live for all new SERs.
• 14 July - Last day to submit SERs for verification using the old 'eforms' system.
• 18 July - SER 'eforms' system shuts down. Last day to verify SERs using the old 'eforms' system. Verification after this date will not be possible.

Key Benefits of the New System

• Improved reliability, performance, technical support and cyber security.
  Access to controlled copies of all your SERs.
• More automated checks to reduce errors.
• Support for larger attachments.
• Streamlined questions and improved usability.

What You Need to Know

• The SER process and questions remain mostly unchanged.
• Existing training remains valid, but a refresher is still required every 2 years.
• Guidance is available for:
  • Accessing, preparing, and submitting SERs.
  • Verifying SERs (Ausgrid only).
• To retrieve previously approved SER 'eform' after 18 July:
  • Refer to your original verification email.
  • Contact: Environmental Services
  • Ausgrid staff can also use the PowerBI report.
• SER 'eforms' still in 'Awaiting Verification' state after 18 July will not be accessible.

Action Required for SER assessors

• New SERs - Use the new SER system for all new SERs starting now. Do not start any new SERs using the old ‘eforms’ system.
• Current draft SERs – Preferably transfer to the new SER system (questions are very similar). Otherwise submit the SER as soon as possible to ensure they can be verified before 18 July 2025. If possible, confirm with your Ausgrid contact that they have capacity to verify it in time. Unverified SER ‘eforms’ after this date must be redone in the new system. 

Action Required for SER verifiers

• SER 'eforms' Awaiting Verification - Verify any allocated SER 'eforms' before 18 July 2025. Otherwise contact the SER assessor.
• New SERs Awaiting Verification - Verify new SERs using the new system - Instructions for verifying SERs (Ausgrid only).

Other updates

• Environmental Handbook revised - The Environmental handbook has undergone a comprehensive review, resulting in numerous minor improvements throughout. Notable updates are detailed in Section 12.
• WebGIS Environmental Layers Report updated - The revised report is now more concise, aligns with the new SER form and includes direct links for more information.

NS174A SER Updated

The latest SER template (version 1.23) is available on the Environmental Planning website and has been updated with the following:

• Reference to Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits (AHIPs) in response to the availability of additional datasets on the WebGIS EL.
• Minor review of environmental controls.

The SER form was updated to version 1.23 (from 1.22) on 14/8/24. There is a three (3) month grace period for SERs that are under preparation when the form is updated. Version 1.22 of the SER can be registered until 14/11/24, from then it will be mandatory to submit version 1.23.

External Audits September 2024

Our next external EMS audit is a recertification audit and is scheduled for 2-15 September.

This is a reminder to Ausgrid and PLUS ES staff that if you’re out and about, it’s a good idea to check our sites/works are in good order and remind others that an external auditor will be visiting Ausgrid and PLUS ES sites in September.

When to pull back/withdraw and revise a SER?

The following situations require a SER revision:

• Change to scope of works and / or design.
  Note: minor changes to scope where there is no change in impacts may be exempted.
• Where 2 years have lapsed since verification, construction has not commenced, and where a review, in accordance with Question 1 of our SER Q and As, concludes that a revision is required.
• If 5 years have lapsed since verification and construction has not commenced.
  Note: A SER does not always need to be pulled back and revised when a design is recertified.

State Heritage Items - Reminder

Approval from Heritage NSW is generally required under S.60 of the NSW Heritage Act 1977 prior to undertaking work within the curtilage of a State heritage item, including conservation areas.

There are some exemptions, and these generally relate to minor repairs and maintenance.

Contact Environmental Services for works within the curtilage of a State heritage item.

Heritage items can be found on Ausgrid’s WebGIS Environmental Layers (WebGIS EL).

Works in Mine Subsidence Areas

Approval from Subsidence Advisory NSW (SANSW) is generally required to alter or erect structures within a mine subsidence district. Typical Ausgrid works requiring approval would include new poles, new switchroom buildings, new substations, new underground cables. Approval is not required for:

• Emergency works, routine maintenance (exempt development)
• Like for like pole replacements and new kiosks.

Pole replacements with larger poles/deeper footings in the areas listed below should be referred to SANSW:

• Merewether Heights
• North Lambton
• Lambton
• Wallsend
• Waratah
• Ashtonfield
• Greta
• Green Point (Near Valentine)
• Adamstown Heights

For new distribution lines/PTs, SANSW have advised that they are happy to accept a quick email advising of the nature of the works. In most cases they will respond that no approval will be required.

For notifications/approvals contact SANSW (subsidenceadvisory@customerservice.nsw.gov.au).

Environmental Planning Calculator

Some documents on the planning website are regularly updated, such as the environmental planning calculator, other calculators and the SER.

To ensure you are using the latest version, please visit Environmental  planning documents.