Substation complaints surge

as posted here

RESIDENTS living near the site of a proposed Western Power substation in Maddington are concerned the facility will be an eyesore and present a bad first impression to those entering the area.

Forrestfield MLA Andrew Waddell said he had been contacted by many residents opposed to the planned 132,000-volt substation, which would have frontage on three roads – Austin Avenue, Church Road and Carole Avenue – making it easily visible from the main entrance road into Kenwick.

“I understand that in order to meet the growing electricity demands of Maddington, Kenwick and other south-eastern suburbs, a new substation is needed,” Mr Waddell said.

“However, the proposed location is a prominent one for what is likely to be an unsightly development that I don’t believe is an ideal structure to welcome people into Kenwick.

“The proposed structure requires four 9.3m gantries to support the powerlines connecting the substation to the existing transmission network, five 15m lighting masts and a 40m high communications tower – all enclosed within a 3m high solid fence.”

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) will make a decision on the proposal and take into account recommendations by the City of Gosnells.

The City’s director of planning and sustainability Chris Terelinck said council had recommended the tower component of the substation not be approved and the applicant be requested to consider using existing cable infrastructure.

Other recommendations included the proposed development being lowered one metre below the surrounding road levels to minimise the visual impact of the building.

Both Mr Waddell and the City believed an encased design similar to those used for substations in the other states could be more appropriate.

“Other places have adopted this model successfully so perhaps it’s something worth looking at to ensure everyone’s needs are catered to,” Mr Waddell said. “I’ve written to the WAPC with this in mind, as I believe this model has potential to improve the amenity to the community and would reduce community opposition to the project.”

as posted here