Strathfield South zone substation

The existing Enfield zone substation has been in service for more than 55 years and needs to be replaced to ensure we continue to provide a safe and reliable power supply for Southfield South, Enfield and surrounding suburbs. After the old substation has been decommissioned, Ausgrid will determine the future use of the site.

Substations, such as the one proposed at Strathfield South, are known as zone substations and are part of the power supply chain that delivers power from where it is generated to electricity users.
Electricity comes into a zone substation at a higher voltage (in this case 132,000 Volts) from a larger substation and is converted to 11,000 Volts for distribution to the community.

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 the 11,000 Volts to voltages suitable for use in homes and businesses. Zone substations house equipment that includes transformers which convert electricity to lower voltages, and switching gear that allows us to safely operate and maintain the electricity network.

Several years ago, Ausgrid identified that the Enfield zone substation would need to be replaced and purchased a block of land close to existing 132,000 Volt powerlines that run along the Cooks River in Strathfield South.

Since January 2016, Ausgrid has been liaising with Council to talk about our plans and receive early feedback.

We have also conducted site investigations to assess ground conditions and pinpoint existing underground services in the Strathfield South area.

A map showing the location of the proposed substation and cable routescan be view via the link on the right of this page.

We are continuing to plan the project and are in the process of appointing a contractor to design the substation. An environmental assessment has been prepared based on this concept layout.

After considering and addressing feedback from the community and further planning, Ausgrid will confirm the proposal and complete the environmental assessment (known as a Review of Environmental Factors or REF). Our contractor will design the substation layout and we will consult the community about these plans and the REF.

Subject to project approval, Ausgrid plans to start construction work to install overhead powerlines and poles in early 2018. Construction of the substation is likely to start in mid-2018. Construction of the substation by our contractor will take approximately 12 months. Work would then be completed in stages over the following two years to install equipment within the substation.

The activities to complete the electrical fit out of the substation are fairly quiet. During this time, the new underground cables would be laid and the substation would then be connected to the existing electricity network and the community.

After the old substation has been decommissioned, Ausgrid will determine the future use of the site.

The project involves installing new overhead powerlines and underground cables in Dean Reserve to power the new substation. 

As part of our consultation with Council, we have reviewed a number of route options to connect power to the proposed substation.

The preferred route, as shown on the map via the link to the bottom of this page, uses both overhead powerlines and underground cables to minimise visual impacts and tree removal within Dean Reserve.

The existing steel tower in Dean Reserve near the Cooks River cycle path would be replaced with three new power poles. The overhead powerlines will be extended for a short section to cross the Cooks River Cycleway. A further two new underground to overhead connection poles (called UGOHs) would be installed to carry the electricity from the overhead powerlines to new the underground cables. The underground cables would run through Dean Reserve from these two new UGOH poles to our land at 7-9 Dunlop Street. 

Additionally, new 11,00 Volt underground cables will run from the new substation to supply power to the local community. These cables will be laid in Dean Reserve through the carpark off Dean Street, and in local streets including Dunlop Street, Dean Street and Brooklyn Street.
Ausgrid is installing two of the power poles in Dean Reserve during July 2018. The poles will be delivered to Ausgrid’s site at 7 Dunlop Street in early July and transfer to a work site close to the Cooks River cycleway. In mid-July, bore holes will be drilled and the poles will be lifted into place. 
Access along the Cooks River cycleway will be maintained, however there may be traffic control in place at times for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Cyclists may need to dismount and walk around the work site. 

To help guide our early planning, Ausgrid is asking the community for their feedback on what they would like Ausgrid to consider in the planning of the new substation.

The first community newsletter was issued to the local community in October 2017 and can be viewed via the link to the right of this page.

When a builder is appointed to design the substation, Ausgrid will engage with the local community in relation to the design of the substation.

Questions and feedback from the community are welcome at any time as the project progresses. 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) will be prepared.

The REF investigates the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed substation.

The REF will be displayed and community feedback will be considered prior to the project being assessed for construction approval.

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 an environmental assessment (known as a Review of Environmental Factors or REF) and measures 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 and building construction and the works associated with 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.