Paraparap powerlines to go underground

POWERCOR is installing underground powerlines at Paraparap to reduce the risk of bushfires.

Powercor identified a 15-kilometre stretch of overhead powerlines as being in one of the state’s highest bushfire risk areas.

The company subsequently invested $3.6 million to move the wires underground.

Powercor Major Projects manager Mitchell Droney said the powerlines had to be changed to meet protocol.

“This location is what is known as a Bushfire Construction Area (BCA) and when more than four spans of overhead conductor need to be replaced in a BCA, they must either be placed underground or replaced with a covered conductor.”

Mr Droney advised there may be some minor inconveniences to locals during the project.

“People might notice some local some traffic changes and some planned power outages so work can take place safely,” he said.

“We’ll notify customers well in advance of planned interruptions to their power supply.

Throughout the year Powercor has been cut back vegetation from 3,651 powerline spans within the Surf Coast and City of Greater Geelong shires.

In 2021 the company also plans to install Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCL) in the Geelong and Surf Coast.

REFCL’s protect from bushfires by quick shutting off power when trees hit a powerline or a powerline falls over.