Powercor is giving the Ballarat community a sneak peek inside the new Ballarat East Zone Substation this Saturday, ahead of the site being switched on next month.
Construction of the zone substation at 203 York Street in Ballarat East is nearly complete, with final testing scheduled for April.
Once operating, the zone substation will provide power directly to about 14,400 customers based in parts of Ballarat East, Alfredton, Lucas and Central Ballarat. It will also deliver reliability and safety benefits to more than 82,000 customers across the broader region, including Elaine, Skipton, Buangor, Lexton, Clunes, Daylesford, Buninyong and Enfield.
To mark the milestone, Powercor will host a community open day this Saturday, 28 March, giving locals the chance to step inside the site and learn how it supports the electricity network as Ballarat continues to grow.
Head of Network Planning Andrew Dinning said the zone substation would support the network to keep pace with growth across the region, with about 1,100 commercial premises and 6,400 new residential premises connecting to the network in the Ballarat local government area since 2019.
“As more people call the Ballarat region home, this zone substation will play an essential role in delivering safe and reliable power to our customers,” Mr Dinning said.
“We know people are curious about what’s behind the fence at the zone substation site. The open day is a chance to see what’s been built, talk to the people who built it and learn how this substation will support the wider region before we switch it on.”
At the event, Powercor will also unveil designs for a new walking connection between York and Callow streets, along Pennyweight Gully, as well as broader beautification works, including new native plantings around the site.
The initiative will be delivered through the Community Legacy Fund, which forms part of Powercor’s $2 million Community Benefits Fund announced as part of the project.
“We asked residents how they wanted the legacy fund spent, and the strongest support was for improved landscaping and a new walking connection,” Mr Dinning said.
“These upgrades will deliver long lasting benefits to the neighbourhood and we have worked closely with council to shape the design and location of the path, as well as the trees and plants that will surround the site.”
As part of the broader Community Benefits Fund, 76 households, including government homes, have taken up the $10,000 Community Solar offer, with many now enjoying the benefits of installed solar panels such as reduced electricity costs.
Construction of the architecturally designed substation fencing is expected to begin in May, with broader beautification works planned for mid-year.
The Ballarat East Zone Substation community open day will be held at 203 York Street, Ballarat East, on Saturday 28 March, from 10am to 2pm.
The day will include guided tours, a BBQ, live music and bucket rides in a Powercor truck. Guided tours will be limited to manage numbers, and enclosed, flat shoes are required.
Activities may change depending on weather conditions.
For more information, visit www.powercor.com.au/network-planning-and-projects/major-projects/ballarateastzss/
