Ballarat East Zone Substation

Project type
COMMUNITY
Current stage
PLANNING
Project duration
2024 - 2025

Powercor is upgrading Ballarat’s energy network, ensuring all the city’s homes and businesses can access reliable and safe power as the region’s population grows. Zone substations help connect the higher voltage sub-transmission network to the lower voltage distribution network, allowing electricity to be distributed into our homes and businesses.

Ballarat currently has two substations, and a third is required to meet increasing demand and support the effective ongoing operation of bushfire safety devices installed in the region.

Project Outcomes

What is happening?

The Ballarat East substation will be located at 203 York Street on land owned by Powercor. This land has been zoned for use “for the construction of services and utilities” for more than 50 years.

Powercor has zone substations in the heart of residential communities in regions like Geelong, Warrnambool, Werribee, Sunshine, Melton, Laverton, Waurn Ponds and Torquay.

The Ballarat East substation will include an architecturally-designed exterior that will be co-designed with the local community. It will also feature technology that reduces the risk of powerline-related bushfires by instantly cutting power if a line is contacted.

Powercor is investing over $30 million to build the new zone substation. As part of the project, Powercor has developed a $2 million Community Benefits Package to provide benefits for individuals and the broader community. As part of this package, Powercor will establish a $200,000 Community Legacy Fund to support investments in parks, recreation or security within the community.

Work is expected to start in late 2024 and be completed before the 2025-2026 summer.

Why is this project important?

The Ballarat East Zone Substation will support Ballarat’s growing population, which is driving an increase in electricity demand on existing infrastructure.

It will support the growth in solar installations, electric vehicles and other electric equipment, and the network in the event of power outages and extreme weather.

The substation will also feature technology designed to protect the broader community by reducing the risk of powerline-related bushfires.

Help shape the Ballarat East Zone Substation

If you live near the project site, and would like to request a conversation you can call 13 22 06 during business hours and talk to one of Powercor’s representatives or email majorprojects@powercor.com.au.

We recently asked residents of Ballarat East to help shape the design of the substation and Community Benefits Fund. Thank you for your feedback and make sure to head to engage.powercor.com.au/ballarateastzss for more opportunities to shape the design in the future.