Substation input extended, no word on land swap

THE community consultation period for a planned substation set for Ballarat East has been extended by the project’s proponent.

Residents can now provide design feedback to electricity utility provider Powercor until Thursday 29 February, and two more community drop-in sessions are also planned.

Powercor spokeswoman Emma Tyner said all input is welcome with different parties having varying opinions about the project.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve met with community members who have supported the project and recognised how important it is for the region,” she said.

“We’ve also engaged with people who have voiced concerns and opposition.

“All of these conversations are important and we want to continue working with the whole community to shape this critical project.”

Powercor announced construction of the substation in November last year after push back from the community.

A spokesperson for the utility said staff have since reached out to 2000 households and businesses in the area and held two drop-in sessions.

“We’ve already had community members provide feedback as part of the co-design process to shape the substation fence’s colour, pattern and height, as well as the area’s lighting and landscaping,” Ms Tyner said.

“We are extending our consultation on the co-design as well as how people want the community legacy fund to be spent by more than three weeks to ensure everyone who wants to have a say can contribute.

“We are collating what we have heard during our engagement and will share the report with the community once this is completed.”

As part of community calls for the substation to be relocated, a land swap was proposed by the City of Ballarat late last year with councillors taking an advocacy stance for residents against the York Street location.

Powercor are yet to respond to the proposal.

“We have written to Powercor, including raising residents’ concerns over flooding, property values and noise, and have had follow up conversations advocating for identification of alternative locations following Powercor’s announcement in late November,” said City of Ballarat director of development and growth, Natalie Robertson.

“The CEO and mayor also recently met with concerned residents and followed up by discussing these concerns with our local members of Parliament.”

Residents can supply feedback by visiting engage.powercor.com.au/ballarateastzss, emailing [email protected] or by calling 13 24 12.