Camellia to Lidcombe powerline project

Ausgrid is installing new 33,000 volt underground cables from Camellia substation to the Lidcombe and Auburn zone substations. The new powerlines will ensure Ausgrid continues to provide a safe and reliable power supply to Auburn, Lidcombe and the surrounding areass.

The new powerlines, which consist of both overhead and underground cables, are being installed in various streets between the three substations. The poles and wires for the overhead section are currently being installed, with this part of the project expected to be completed in October 2018.

More information on the preferred route can be found in the most recent community newsletter which can be viewed via the links below.

Underground cables of the same voltage currently provide the main power supply into these areas from Homebush. Most of these cables are now approaching the end of their service life. Ausgrid is planning to replace them to ensure we continue to provide a safe and reliable power supply to Auburn, Lidcombe and the surrounding areas.

Powerlines run from the Camellia substation along Colquhoun Street, Unwin Street and Shirley Street in Rosehill. The overhead powerlines are connected to the underground cables using Underground to Overhead poles.

Construction for this section of the project is planned for September 2018 and expected to be completed mid-2019. An overhead power line is currently in construction from Adderley Street East, Auburn, along Percy Street, to Wyatt Park. This is expected be completed in October 2018.

The cables would transition from overhead to underground in Deniehy Street, Rosehill. From this point, the cables will run under the M4 Western Motorway overpass and along the Duck River Cycleway.

 From Junction Street, the cables run along Adderley Street West. From here, they turn into Silverwater Road for a short section and then enter the Auburn substation at the corner of Silverwater and Parramatta Road. An underground cable and an overhead power line will cross Silverwater Road at the intersection of the M4 Motorway to connect to an overhead power line and existing underground cables. Construction of this section will begin in September 2018 and continue for 8 months. Multiple crews will work progressively along the route.

Ausgrid started planning the project last year and our first newsletter in August 2016 provided information about our planned approach to replace the ageing cables. We also visited local residents, businesses, community facilities and councils to receive feedback on design options. A summary of the community engagement so far, including the feedback received can be viewed via the link on the right hand side of this page.

A second community newsletter was issued in mid-July 2017 with updates to the initial proposal.

Ausgrid welcomes feedback throughout all stages of the project. Please get in touch via the contacts on the right of this page.

During December 2017 and January 2018, Ausgrid began liaising with the cycling community about expected impacts to the Duck River cycleway during construction. As part of this, Ausgrid conducted a survey of cycleway to understand how the cycleway is used and identify potential issues before the construction plans were finalised. The findings from the cycleway user study were compiled into a report in May 2018. The report is available via the links at the bottom of this page.

Using feedback collected from the cycleway user survey and other key stakeholders consulted, Ausgrid have worked with its contractor to plan construction along the Duck River Cycleway to minimise impacts on cyclists.

Work will be carried out in two stages. Stage one will involve a short diversion via a temporary cycle path directly adjacent to the existing cycleway. This diversion will begin at the corner of Deniehy Street and Martha Street and will join back on to the cycleway at the bridge. Trenching along this section of the cycleway is expected to start in mid- September. You will be kept updated as work progresses and signage will be erected to direct cyclists and pedestrians to the alternate cycle path.

The second stage of this work is planned for November 2018. You will receive more information on what to expect during this stage of the work prior to commencement.

Work will take approximately 5 months once started. The cycleway will remain in operation during ground investigation work taking place in early September.

Project and community engagement time line

• August 2018: Final site investigations for underground section
• September 2018: Start of underground construction between Camellia and Auburn substations
• September 2018: Start of overhead power lines from Camellia to Deniehy Street
• October 2018: Overhead power lines completed from Auburn to Lidcombe substation
• Mid-2019: Project completion

Ausgrid is the approving authority for the work under the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. As part of the approval process, an environmental assessment was prepared for the project.

Construction activities will generally involve:

• Excavation of cable trenches and pits
• Laying of conduits (plastic pipes)
• Temporary backfilling of trenches
• Final restoration work in consultation with local council

While work is being undertaken, there may be temporary impacts to cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Where appropriate, we will have signage and traffic management in place, and will work to minimise impacts as much as possible.

Like all construction work, there will be some noise, vibration and dust which we will work to reduce. There are no planned interruptions to your power supply as part of this work.
Ausgrid standard work hours are 7am to 6pm on weekdays and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.

There may be a requirement to work outside of these hours. If this is the case, we would advise the nearby community in advance of these activities. Construction in school zones will be carried out during school holidays to ensure minimal impact on schools along the cable route.

A portion of the route is through local reserves. As each section of work is completed, the area will be backfilled and reinstated. Following trenching and cable installation in roads, a temporary surface will be laid over the trench so that the road can return to normal use. The temporary road surface remains in place until the cables have been pulled through the conduits (pipes) joined and tested.

A period of time is required between work finishing and permanent restoration to allow for the ground to settle and prevent cracks on the final surface. The excavated sections are then reinstated permanently in consultation with the relevant road authority.