SAPN Infrastructure
August 2015
SAPN Project Fact Sheet No 2
(534 kb)
November 2014
At the meeting held on 3 November 2014, the following information report was presented to Council advising that SA Power Networks have made a decision on the location of the new 66 kV distribution line. SA Power Networks also advise that further work still needs to be undertaken to identify a suitable site for an electricity sub station.
Council Report 3 November 2014 SAPN(2043 kb)
March 2014
At the meeting held on 17 March 2014, Council made a resolution regarding the preferred route for this infrastructure.
Council Report 17 March 2014 SAPN Infrastructure(1038 kb)
The effect of Council’s resolution is as follows:
- Council’s clear preference is for the distribution lines to be placed underground for its entire length. However, it acknowledges that undergrounding is cost prohibitive and not feasible for design and engineering reasons.
- Council supports Option 3 as shown on the attached plan as the preferred location for the overhead 66kV distribution line and endorses the intention of SAPN to place the line underground in critical areas.
- The identification of additional, discrete undergrounding opportunities and finalisation of the route and substation site selection is to be progressed by a joint Council/SAPN staff working party with SAPN to undertake liaison with affected land owners to support their final decision making.
There were several factors that Council had to consider during the course of its deliberations. First and foremost, at the commencement of the process over two years ago and in more recent times, it established a number of principles to guide its final considerations including: the minimisation of visual and amenity impacts, the loss or impact on native vegetation, alignment with existing easements and buffers, a preference for utilisation of industrial land for the substation, the strategic land uses depicted in the Mount Barker Growth Area Master Plan and the policy intent of the Development Plan.
When these factors were examined in the appropriate context and with the benefit of subsequent investigations, it became clear to Council that the decision would not be straightforward and became a question of achieving the correct balance and the best community outcomes under the circumstances.
The other factors that were given consideration included the summary and analysis of the public consultation process undertaken by SAPN, the detailed report prepared by Council’s staff that was considered by the Strategic Planning and Development Policy Committee in its capacity as Council’s planning advisory body, and the final recommendations of the Project Steering Group.
Importantly, prior to the Council making its final recommendation on the location of the new power infrastructure, a field trip was conducted to enable Councillors to observe the features that have a bearing on the assessment of the options and the balancing of considerations. Noted during the field trip were particular features such as vegetation, topography, growth area boundaries, future developed areas, alignment of the planned connector road and the area set aside for new housing and industry. The field trip reinforced the fact that Option 3, while imperfect, offered the best balance between the visual and environmental factors at play.
During its deliberations on the most desirable way of servicing the growth area with power, Council expressed a preference for the distribution lines to be placed underground. However, as its resolution states, Council acknowledges the reasons for SAPN rejecting this option. Firstly, the alignment and construction of the connector road (within which the supply would be placed) is unlikely to be established at the time the power supply is required to be delivered. Secondly, an independent assessment of the underground construction costs commissioned by Council substantiated the conclusion of SAPN that this form of delivery would be cost prohibitive.
The timing of design and construction by SAPN will be largely influenced by the rate of residential and commercial growth in the area. As a guide, Council understands that the current expectation of SAPN is that construction is likely to start in 5 to 7 years. SAPN will make direct contact with all affected land owners once it has made a decision on the final location - for the new 66kv line.
July 2013
SA Power Networks (SAPN) is currently investigating options for the provision of power supply for the future planned expansion of the Mount Barker township on its eastern outskirts.
Council and the Strategic Planning and Development Policy Committee have received reports on the proposal:
SPDPC SAPN Report 22 July 2013(3415 kb)
SAPN are undertaking community consultation on the proposal:
SAPN Project Fact Sheet(1153 kb)
SAPN Line Route Option(120 kb)