Blackwattle Bay network upgrade

Blackwattle Bay is located on the edge of Sydney's CBD and is a predominantly urban area with a mix of high-density residential and commercial properties.  The area, including Pyrmont, Ultimo and parts of Redfern, is partially supplied by the Blackwattle Bay zone substation via a large number of 5kV cables. These cables are among the oldest in Ausgrid’s network.

The Blackwattle Bay renewal program will enable us to provide reliable electricity into the future by replacing aging electrical infrastructure and modifying our network to better service the area.

Ausgrid plans to retire the Blackwattle Bay zone substation. Before we can do this, we need to upgrade associated equipment and install sections of new 11kV cables in Camperdown, Glebe, Ultimo, Pyrmont and Redfern. The new cables will allow for a connection between the Camperdown zone substation (which has recently been upgraded) and the Darling Harbour zone substation. This will provide a secure and reliable electricity supply to the area.

The renewal program has a number of stages as outlined below. While these stages are separate projects, they all form part of the greater renewal program which will enable the Blackwattle Bay zone substation to eventually be retired.

Please note, residents and businesses in the area will be provided with more information about how the work may impact them as we progress.

Stage one – equipment upgrades in 5kV distribution substations around Blackwattle Bay (COMPLETE)
There are 56 distribution substations connected to the Blackwattle Bay zone substation. Of these, 27 require equipment upgrades to prepare for conversion to 11kV. Community impacts from these upgrades include planned power disruptions to a small number of residents and businesses, plus some temporary traffic, parking or access restrictions while equipment is being delivered and replaced.

Stage two – cable installation works in Camperdown, Glebe, Ultimo, Redfern and Pyrmont (COMPLETE)
A number of new 11kV underground cables will connect the Camperdown zone substation to the Darling Harbour zone substation. Some of these cables will be pulled through existing conduits (pipes) already installed in roadways.

However, trenching work will be required to install new conduits to complete the cable route between the two zone substations. Construction impacts may include potential work at night plus impacts on pedestrian and vehicle traffic, including a reduction of available street parking. After all conduits have been installed, cables will be pulled through and joined in bays (excavated pits).

Stage three – connection of Blackwattle Bay zone substation to either the Darling Harbour or Camperdown zone substation (COMPLETE)
Once the 11kV cable works have been completed, each of the 56 distribution substations currently connected to the Blackwattle Bay zone substation will be switched over to either the Darling Harbour or Camperdown zone substation. This will involve cable jointing works around the streets of Pyrmont, Ultimo, Chippendale, Glebe and parts of Redfern.

There could be some temporary traffic, parking or access restrictions during the work. There will also be associated works that will require short power disruptions to local residents and businesses to allow for the switch over to the new equipment.

Stage four - Blackwattle Bay zone substation decommissioning (proposed late August 2023)                                                                                              Decommissioning of Blackwattle Bay zone substation will occur once the network and upgrade works have been completed. The site will then be made safe and prepared for future use.  At this time, Ausgrid will consider whether the site will be kept or sold.

The project will be completed in stages as outlined above.

The first stage is underway, with three quarters of the 27 distribution substations requiring upgrades completed. The remainder of this work will occur progressively until June 2020. Nearby residents and businesses are being consulted in advance about how work may affect them.

The majority of the stage two construction work is complete. Stage three is underway and is due for completion in late 2023.

Ausgrid plans this project, there are a number of factors to consider, including:

• community impacts
• availability of space around existing utility services
• environmental and heritage impacts
• cost (minimising the impact on electricity bills)
• technical feasibility
• traffic impacts including light rail, pedestrian, bicycle and road
• stakeholders who may be uniquely impacted by temporary power disruptions or construction.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this important work. Ausgrid will continue to provide updates on planned activities and information on what to expect during construction as the project progresses.

Feedback from the community, councils and other authorities is encouraged during all stages of the project. All feedback is considered during planning and scheduling to assist in minimising impacts on the surrounding communities. To find out more or to provide feedback to Ausgrid, please get in touch any time via the contacts on the right of this page

Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Ausgrid is the determining authority for the various stages of this project.

Environmental assessments are prepared for each stage in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Clause 228 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

There will be planned power outages during some stages of this project. All potentially affected community and business members will be notified in advance. For details specific to your area, please visit Ausgrid's power outage page.

As with any construction work, there will be some temporary impacts such as noise, dust and parking and traffic restrictions. Ausgrid assesses potential impacts as part of the environmental assessment process and puts measures in place to minimise impacts on the local environment and community.

Ausgrid will continue to provide regular updates to the community living or working in the areas where we are (or plan to be) working.