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.

Strathfield South Zone Substation Construction Timeline

Ausgrid is the determining authority for the work under the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. As part of the approval process, we conducted an environmental assessment, known as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to investigate the potential environmental impacts associated with the project and identify mitigation measures.

The REF was on display from 6 to 27 November 2018. Ausgrid encouraged further feedback from the community by email, phone or directly at a drop in information session held during this time. Printed copies of the REF were available at the High Street Library, Strathfield and at Ausgrid's office at 570 George Street, Sydney. Interested community members could also view the REF via the link on the website.

Ausgrid received one submission during the REF exhibition period. This submission has been considered and addressed in the final REF, which can be viewed in the 'Review of Environmental Factors' section below. A Consultation Report has been prepared to support the REF and provide responses to matters raised during the community engagement period. This can be viewed via the link at the bottom of this page.

Download the Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

Strathfield South zone substation REF - main document

Appendix A – Drawings and plans
Appendix B – Community engagement materials
Appendix C – Ecological Assessment
Appendix D – EMF Report
Appendix E – Noise and Vibration Assessments
Appendix F – PASS and Waste Classification Reports
Appendix G – Specialist studies
Appendix H – Environmental Site Assessment

REF Determination Report

This project would involve building a new zone substation on Ausgrid owned land at 7-9 Dunlop Street, Strathfield South.

The proposed substation will accommodate key electrical equipment such as the transformers and associated switching equipment.

As with any construction work, there will be some noise and dust, and temporary traffic, access and parking disruptions, but we will make every effort to keep these to a minimum.

Installation of new equipment within the new structure would be of lower impact with Ausgrid staff working predominantly within the building.

As a part of the project, current works include installing new overhead power poles in Dean Reserve. A further two new underground to overhead connection poles (called UGOHs) have also been recently installed to carry the electricity from the overhead powerlines to the new underground cables.

Additionally, new 11,000 volt underground cables are also being installed in local streets between Enfield and Strathfield South. This will enable Ausgrid to transfer the electrical load to the new substation when it is built. These cables are being laid in Dean Reserve through the carpark off Dean Street, and in local streets including Dunlop Street, Dean Street and Brooklyn Street and neighbouring streets near Enfield zone substation.

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

Ausgrid started engaging with key stakeholders, such as Strathfield Council, in 2016 to obtain feedback on the proposed substation.

Engagement with local residents and businesses near the Enfield zone substation or proposed Strathfield South zone substation site started in October 2017 when the first project newsletter was distributed. A copy of the newsletter can be found at the bottom of this page.

A second newsletter was distributed during the REF display period in November 2018. A drop in session to discuss the REF was held on Tuesday 20 November at High Street Library for interested community members to discuss the REF and share their feedback on the new substation building colour scheme.

Interested community members were invited to attend the session directly through a newsletter, an advertisement in the local newspaper and social media. A copy of the second newsletter is at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to all the community members who provided feedback to date. All feedback received has helped inform the planning process and will also help us mitigate or avoid impacts during construction. The consultation summary for the project can be viewed via the link at the bottom of the page. You can also contact us to request a copy of the consultation summary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              We will continue to engage with the community and stakeholders during each stage of the project. Ausgrid welcomes questions or comments about the project at any time (see project contacts top right).