Greenacre substation

Zone substations such as the one in Rosedale Avenue are part of the power supply chain that delivers power from where it is generated to electricity users.

Electricity comes into a substation at high voltage (in this case 132,000 volts) and is converted to 11,000 volts for distribution to the community. Substation equipment includes transformers that converts electricity to lower voltages and switching gear that allows us to safely operate and maintain the electricity network. Smaller substations, such as the ones you may have seen in large green boxes by the side of the street, or mounted on the side of power poles, then convert power to voltages suitable for use in homes and businesses. These substations house equipment that includes transformers that converts electricity to lower voltages and switching gear that allows us to safely operate and maintain the electricity network.

The existing substation has been in service for almost 50 years and needs to be replaced to ensure we continue to provide a safe and reliable power supply for Greenacre and surrounding suburbs.

Once the new substation becomes operational, the old substation will be decommissioned. At that time Ausgrid will consider the sale of the remaining land.

Ausgrid has considered a range of options in the design of the substation. The factors we consider when planning options include:

• cost (minimising the impact on electricity bills)
• community impacts, including traffic impacts
• availability around existing utility services
• environmental and heritage impacts
• technical feasibility.

In considering the surrounding community, the building has been designed to be in keeping with the local area.

Ausgrid has carried out consultation with residents in regards to the design of the substation to get their input on the architectural sketches of the substation. This feedback has helped minimise the visual impact of the substation, with the building designed to reflect the local area.

Community newsletters were issued to properties along or close to the proposed substation site in July and October 2017.

All community feedback is considered by the project team as part of the process to minimise impacts during construction. To find out more or provide feedback to Ausgrid, please get in touch via the contacts on the right of this page.

Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Ausgrid is the determining authority for this project. As part of this process, an environmental assessment (known as a Review of Environmental Factors or REF) has been prepared. The REF includes a range of specialist studies and input from the community, councils and other authorities. In August 2017 the community was invited to review the REF on our website and submit feedback.

Although we did not receive any formal submissions, all feedback received was considered by the project team in assessing the project and the environmental factors.

The REF has now been finalised and published for public viewing using the link under related documents.

Work will involve preparing the site, building of the substation, installing new electrical equipment, trenching to install new underground cables, and retiring the old substation.

Like on any construction site there would be typical building impacts such as noise and dust as a result of work on and around the site. Any potential impacts are assessed as part of the environmental assessment (known as a Review of Environmental Factors or REF) and measures are put in place to minimise impacts on the local environment.

The work with most significant impact would typically be during the first twelve months of the project as the builder carries out earthworks, building construction, and also the works to install the new underground cables that would connect to the new substation. Installation of new equipment within the new structure would be of lower impact with Ausgrid staff working predominantly within the building.

Ausgrid does not plan to interrupt local electricity supplies as part of construction of the new substation.

There would also be temporary traffic impacts when the underground cables are being installed in local streets to connect the new substation to the electricity network which we would work to minimise.

Ausgrid is responsible for assessing and approving works under the Greenacre zone substation project. This process includes preparation of an environmental assessment (Review of Environmental Factors or REF). The REF includes a range of specialist studies and input from the community, councils and other authorities. The REF was on exhibition for comment until Friday 11 August 2017.

The project has now been approved for construction. Please click on the links below to view the final REF.