Montville Substation
ENERGEX is proposing to construct a new 33,000 volt to 11,000 volt (33/11kV) substation at 16 Balmoral Road, Montville.
The addition of a new substation will improve the reliability of electricity supply to residents and businesses in the town and surrounding areas.
Why the substation is needed
The Montville area is currently supplied by ENERGEX’s existing substation at Palmwoods Central. The 11,000 volt (11kV) powerline from Palmwoods is 86 kilometres long, and travels through heavily treed country with approximately 1,700 customers connected.
Establishing a new substation at Montville will allow for the electricity network to be broken up into smaller sections, reducing the overall exposure to network outages for all residents in the area.
Back in 2003, Montville residents experienced 11 power interruptions, with almost all due to vegetation interfering with the network during storms or wildlife coming in contact with the wires. While the existing lines have received upgrades and additional protection equipment, Montville is still experiencing an above average number of unplanned interruptions per year compared to other locations, with 15 recorded in the last two years.
The addition of a new substation at Montville will reduce the length of the electricity lines required to provide power to residents – resulting in better reliability of supply for residents.
The substation is particularly important to ensuring the reliability of supply for Montville during its peak tourist season. This period coincides with South East Queensland’s storm season, which increases the chances of supply interruptions so it will ensure optimum power supply to residents and businesses in the area when it is needed the most.
Site location
In 2005, ENERGEX purchased a block of land at 16 Balmoral Road, Montville, as a potential site for the construction of the new substation. When the site was purchased Local and State Government representatives were notified.
The site was originally chosen because it was away from risks such as wildlife corridors, land slide areas and heavy vegetation, and it was the correct size and topography for a substation. Its location was also ideal as it was in close proximity to the main powerline.
In May 2006, community information was sent to neighbouring residents which included the opportunity for feedback. Some residents objected to the chosen site so ENERGEX called for submissions on other site locations and the community suggested three alternative sites. Each site was examined and the findings were reported back to the Montville Village Association.
All three sites were not suitable for a substation due to the size, location or distance from existing power supply.
ENERGEX has determined the original site, located at 16 Balmoral Road, Montville, remains the preferred location for the substation construction.
Substation design concept
The substation will be a purpose built substation design, constructed with low profile and low noise equipment to minimise disruption to the local community.
It will be setback from the road with a curved driveway to reduce the visibility of the substation from the main road, and be a rural-type building design.
Landscaping
ENERGEX is committed to minimising the environmental impacts of our operations and throughout the construction process will retain as many of the existing trees on the site as possible.
A landscape and revegetation plan will be implemented, with the feedback from local groups and the community, utilising drought-hardy native plants that are visually attractive and suitable for the local soil and climate conditions.
In addition, ENERGEX proposes to undertake extensive new planting to provide an attractive screening to allowing the site to blend in with the suburban environment.
ENERGEX is committed to reducing the visual impact of the substation and, in addition to the landscaping plan, will use fencing to provide additional screening from the road. This will also provide security for the electricity equipment and safety for the community.
Stormwater management plan
Stormwater on the substation site will be managed by a bio retention and detention basin system located within the site boundary.
To accommodate for storm events, the substation platform has been designed for water to overflow into the proposed stormwater basin via a downpipe, allowing for the retention and treatment of stormwater. Stormwater will then be discharged into the existing natural drainage path, ensuring a non worsening impact to downstream receiving waters and adjoining properties.
Stormwater entering from upstream catchment areas (i.e. not generated by the substation platform) will be collected via vegetated drainage swales located around the substation platform and be discharged into the stormwater basin, again ensuring the quality of surrounding water supply.
This system has been designed in response to:
- The requirements of the Maroochy Planning Scheme Codes specifically the Code for Waterways and Wetlands and the Code for Integrated Water Management
- The Seqwater Development Guidelines for Water Quality Management in Drinking water Catchments 2008
- Guidelines for stormwater quality in State Planning Policy 4/10 Healthy Waters
Project approval process
Under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, ENERGEX must obtain approval for the proposed upgrade from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
As part of the Integrated Development Approval Scheme (IDAS) process, ENERGEX has made the proposed design available for public comment from the community. The formal notification period closed on 16 December 2011. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and formal submissions to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. ENERGEX will now response to each submission.
ENERGEX has already engaged relevant stakeholders in the community and reviewed their feedback. All comments received will be considered during the development of the final design.
If Council approval for the upgrade is granted, construction will begin in 2012.
Project timeline
The following table provides information on the steps and proposed timing for the Project’s consultation process.
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Lodgement of Development Application with Sunshine Coast Regional Council | June 2011 |
| Preliminary consultation with stakeholders and the community | September - November 2011 |
| Council Information Request | August - November 2011 |
| Public Notification | 23 November - 16 December 2011 |
| Council decision on Development Application | Mid 2012 |
|
Construction to commence* *Subject to project approval |
Late 2012 |
Community engagement
ENERGEX recognises the environmental values that many Montville residents hold and is committed to consulting with the community and stakeholders throughout the Project.
ENERGEX will be actively in the community seeking feeback and suggestions on the Project and encourage everyone to become involved - community consultation throughout ENERGEX projects contributes to new thinking and helps create better decisions and outcomes.
To date, ENERGEX has held individual meetings with government representatives, key stakeholders, community group members and property owners neighbouring the substation site.
Following on from initial consultation, ENERGEX is now launching into full community consultation, designed for all community members to participate. ENERGEX is actively seeking feedback in the final design and landscaping plans which best complement and enhance the substation’s suburban setting, to minimise the visual impact of the upgraded substation.
Have your say
ENERGEX values your feedback and encourages the community and key stakeholders to contact the Project Team to discuss the Montville Substation Project. Individual meetings have been held with government representatives, key stakeholders, community group members and property owners neighbouring the substation site to ensure accurate, timely and relevant information is provided.
The wider community will be kept informed about the Project via newsletters, advertisements in local newspapers and information days.
Publications
Contact us
Phone:
1300 762 213
Email:
The Montville Substation Project Team and quote Project Number: C0076624
Write to:
ENERGEX Montville Substation Project
Reply Paid 1461
Brisbane QLD 4001
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