Media Release: Work underway on Powercor’s new Kyneton depot

Electricity distribution business Powercor is investing $10 million to upgrade its Kyneton-based depot, providing employees with a modern facility and ensuring the delivery of improved services to the local community.

Work began on the new depot at Redesdale Road last month. The new facility will be constructed on the same road as the existing one but will be significantly larger and provides space for future growth and safer design.

The new depot will have improved office facilities, storage areas for equipment and fleet, and will support the future expansion of the workforce as part of Powercor’s commitment to deliver safe, reliable and affordable electricity to customers.

Kyneton field leader, Phil Robinson, said the upgrade reinforces Powercor’s commitment to the region.

“Our local depot allows crews to manage and respond quickly to network faults and customer needs,” Mr Robinson said.

“The current facility was built 40 years ago – it was built in a different era to accommodate different equipment and trucks. The works will allow us to construct a fit-for-purpose facility that can accommodate the large, modern equipment our crews use to maintain electrical infrastructure.

“This all leads to greater standards of reliability of electricity supplies for customers.”

Built in 1979, the current Kyneton depot accommodates 20 employees including field crews, engineers and planners. The new deport will support up to a 25 per cent increase in field resources in the future.

Crews and employees at the depot support customers in Kyneton, Woodend, Trentham, Redesdale, Spring Hill, Malmsbury, Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey, Lancefield and Pyalong.

In the Macedon Ranges Council area alone, employees at the depot operate and maintain 16,554 poles, 2137 kilometres of powerlines and 3892 distribution transformers that deliver power to more than 21,827 Powercor customers.

During the past five years, Powercor has made substantial investments in regional services including current works on a new $10 million Shepparton depot, and upgrading six regional depots. Powercor has also added three new depots in Mildura, Maryborough and Cobram; providing crews with better technology allowing faster access to data necessary for effective response; and improving fleet vehicles and resources. With these additional resources, Powercor teams have embarked on a major works program boosting network safety and capacity.

The Redesdale Road depot is expected to be completed by mid-2020.