Ballarat East Zone Substation

What is happening?

The Ballarat East substation will be located at 203 York Street on land owned by Powercor. This land has been zoned for use “for the construction of services and utilities” for more than 50 years.

Powercor has zone substations in the heart of residential communities in regions like Geelong, Warrnambool, Werribee, Sunshine, Melton, Laverton, Waurn Ponds and Torquay.

The Ballarat East substation will include an architecturally-designed exterior that will be co-designed with the local community. It will also feature technology that reduces the risk of powerline-related bushfires by instantly cutting power if a line is contacted.

Powercor is investing over $30 million to build the new zone substation. As part of the project, Powercor has developed a $2 million Community Benefits Package to provide benefits for individuals and the broader community. As part of this package, Powercor will establish a $200,000 Community Legacy Fund to support investments in parks, recreation or security within the community.

Work is expected to start in late 2024 and be completed before the 2025-2026 summer.

Why is this project important?

The Ballarat East Zone Substation will support Ballarat’s growing population, which is driving an increase in electricity demand on existing infrastructure.

It will support the growth in solar installations, electric vehicles and other electric equipment, and the network in the event of power outages and extreme weather.

The substation will also feature technology designed to protect the broader community by reducing the risk of powerline-related bushfires.

How to get involved

Webinar – EMF and water management

Join us and our independent experts on Wednesday 31 July 6pm-7pm to learn more about Electromagnetic fields (EMF) as well as how we are managing water at the site.

Click here to register

If you have a question relating to EMF or water management you would like answered at the webinar, you can submit these when registering, or email majorprojects@powercor.com.au before 5pm Monday 29 July.

Phase 1 consultation

If you live near the project site, and would like to request a conversation you can call 13 22 06 during business hours and talk to one of Powercor’s representatives or email majorprojects@powercor.com.au.

Earlier this year we recently asked residents of Ballarat East to help shape the design of the substation and Community Benefits Fund. Thank you for your feedback, we are now working to collate the information received to help influence our next phase of visual design, which will then be presented later in the year for further consultation prior to the visual design being finalised. At this time we will also provide an update on the shortlist of Community Benefit Fund ideas for the community to choose from.

Click here to visit Engage Powercor

Response to City of Ballarat

On 22 May 2024, the City of Ballarat Council moved a motion seeking an on-site visit between Powercor representative, councillors, council officers and residents in relation to the Ballarat East Zone Sub-Station project. Our response can be viewed here.

Visit our Ballarat East Zone Substation project page on Engage Powercor to contribute to the design of the substation and sign up for email updates.

For all other enquiries, email us at majorprojects@powercor.com.au.