Undergrounding Powerlines
| What we're doing: | Undergrounding some powerlines in the Echunga Main Street. |
|---|---|
| How much it is going to cost: | $1,900,000 (Council contribution $720,000) |
| Timeframes: | Stage 2 2026 |
| Background: | A key priority within the endorsed Echunga Township Plan (Action 41) is to advocate for a Power Line Environment Committee (PLEC) program to underground the overhead powerlines in the main street of Echunga. |
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location: | From the boundary of Lot 19 Adelaide Road to the corner of High Street | From the boundary of Lot 19 Adelaide Road to Battunga Road intersection | From the corner of High Street to the intersection of Meadows and Strathalbyn roads |
| Timing: | March - June 2025 | Construction estimated to commence January 2026 | Construction estimated to begin July 2026 |
| Status: | Complete | Application for PLEC funding submitted in November 2024 and confirmed in March 2025 | Application for PLEC funding lodged in May 2025, awaiting approval |
August 2026 Update
The first stage (Stage 1) of the PLEC project in Echunga was completed by SA Power Networks and Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) in July 2025, with the second stage (Stage 2) achieving practical completion in June 2026. The final stage (Stage 3) is currently in procurement, with construction expected to occur in the first half of the 2026/27 financial year.
The total project cost is $5,500,000, which is funded on a 2:1 basis between SA Power Networks and Council. Council's expenditure across all three (3) stages is approximately $1,800,000.
During PLEC Stage 1, Council received a request from a resident to adjust the location of a proposed light pole in front of their heritage property. As the public road lighting upgrade was being delivered by DIT, the request was referred to them for consideration. Following a technical assessment, DIT confirmed that the nominated location was the most suitable to meet the relevant design and safety requirements.
The resident subsequently requested that the light pole be relocated after it had been installed. DIT advised that any relocation would be at Council's cost. Following an internal review, it was determined that Council would not fund the relocation, noting that DIT had considered the resident's request during the design phase and had confirmed the original location was appropriate. As a result, the light pole remains in its original location.
May 2026 Update
- Stage 2: Removal of all Stobie poles and overhead cabling has been completed, and all DIT light poles are now installed. Final reinstatement works will be underway for the rest of May 2026, with this stage expected to be completed by the end of June 2026.
- Stage 3: SA Power Networks is preparing to go to tender for construction, with works anticipated to be delivered in the first half of the 2026/27 financial year.
STAGE 2
Preliminary underground commencement works are expected to commence in December 2025 with full construction activities to follow in January 2026.
Check here for the latest from SA Power Networks: Undergrounding powerlines Echunga - SA Power Networks
August 2025 Update
30 June 2025 Update
PLEC Stage 1
Good progress has been made with completion due end of July 2025.
PLEC Stage 2
PLEC Funding was approved in March 2025, construction is scheduled to begin in October 2025.
PLEC Stage 3
Funding application was submitted in May 2025.
25 February 2025 Update
Council will be undertaking some works to allow for the construction of PLEC and installation of the road lighting. These works include tree removals, temporary removal of planter boxes, two residential driveways being adjusted and four temporary protuberances installed around light poles that will sit in the parking lane until the streetscape is delivered.
Civil works by SA Power Networks (SAPN) and their contractors will commence 3 March 2025. SAPN's contractor for the trenching works is TRON Civil Contracting. The scope of works includes:
- Trenching works;
- Undergrounding of the powerlines;
- SA Power Networks’ pits installations;
- Removal of stobie poles.
SAPN will install temporary protection around their junction pits, which will be removed when the streetscape upgrade is constructed.
Road Lighting
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) will be upgrading the lighting along Adelaide Road in conjunction with the delivery of the PLEC works.
The road lighting will be in accordance with the lighting standard AS/NZS 1158 Lighting for Roads and Public Spaces. The amount of lighting and number of light poles along Adelaide Road will increase. It is expected that 20 poles will be installed over the three stages of the PLEC program. Eight light poles will be installed as part of the PLEC stage 1 construction.
After consultation, the chosen light poles are Normandy type with a side-mounted luminaire. These light poles will be 10.5m high with a 4.5m outreach and powder-coated black.
The location of the new light poles will be positioned according to the proposed kerb alignment as part of the streetscape upgrade. The streetscape upgrade is part of the Main Street Detailed Design project that is occurring in parallel with the PLEC. Therefore, 4 of the 8 light poles for PLEC stage 1 will be located on the carriageway, in the parking lane. Council will install in temporary protuberances to protect these light poles from damage.