Consultation on new Ballarat East Zone Substation extended

Ballarat East residents will have more time to provide feedback and help design the exterior of the region’s newest zone substation, with Powercor extending the first stage of consultation until the end of February.

The consultation supports Powercor’s plan to upgrade Ballarat’s energy network by building a third substation in Ballarat East.

A further two community drop-in sessions will also be held early next year to provide community members who could not attend the most recent sessions a chance to ask questions and share their views with Powercor representatives.

Powercor spokeswoman Emma Tyner said there were many different perspectives and opinions about the project and all feedback was welcomed as plans for the site were finalised.

“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,” Ms Tyner 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.”

Since announcing the site location in November, Powercor has reached out to more than 2000 households and businesses through letterbox drops, advertised locally, offered personalised 1:1 meetings, and hosted two community drop-in sessions attended by an estimated 60 people.

In addition, Powercor has today sent a project update to 2000 community members within the local area.

“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.”

Feedback will be taken into consideration during the next stage of the project’s design. Community members will then be asked to choose their preferred concept design.

The first stage of consultation is open until Thursday 29 February 2024, via the below options:

• Online: powercor.com.au/ballarateastzss
• Email: majorprojects@powercor.com.au
• Phone: 13 24 12