New electricity cables between Earlwood and Summer Hill Community feedback summary December 2016 Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................3 1a Community sessions snapshot .............................................................................................. 3 1b Early engagement ................................................................................................................. 3 2 Community engagement overview ................................................................................................4 2a Why we engage with the community early ......................................................................... 4 2b Planning cable projects ......................................................................................................... 4 2c Project and consultation stages ........................................................................................... 4 3 Community sessions feedback .......................................................................................................5 3a Overview ................................................................................................................................ 5 3b Feedback on the presentations ............................................................................................. 5 4 Route options ..................................................................................................................................6 4a Summary of the area............................................................................................................. 6 4b Major crossings ...................................................................................................................... 6 4c Route options ......................................................................................................................... 6 5 Comments on route options ...........................................................................................................7 6a Alternate option 1 ................................................................................................................. 9 6b Ausgrid’s response ................................................................................................................. 9 6c Alternate option 2 ................................................................................................................. 9 6d Ausgrid’s response ............................................................................................................... 10 6e Alternate option 3 ............................................................................................................... 10 6f Ausgrid’s response ............................................................................................................... 10 6g Alternate option 4 ............................................................................................................... 11 6h Ausgrid’s response ............................................................................................................... 11 7 Questions about the route options ..............................................................................................12 7a Questions about the existing route .................................................................................... 12 7b Questions about the presented proposed route options .................................................. 12 7c Foord Avenue Bridge ........................................................................................................... 13 7d Construction ........................................................................................................................ 13 7e Reinstatement of trenched areas ....................................................................................... 15 7f Vegetation............................................................................................................................ 15 7g Environmental assessment ................................................................................................. 15 7h General questions about electric and magnetic fields .................................................... 15 7i Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) - project specific questions ....................................... 16 8 Ausgrid summary ..........................................................................................................................17 9 Next steps ......................................................................................................................................18 2 New electricity cables between Earlwood and Summer Hill| Community sessions feedback summary 1 Introduction Ausgrid is planning to replace underground electricity cables that run between our substations at Earlwood and Summer Hill. The existing 33,000 volt cables are nearing the end of their service life and need to be replaced so Ausgrid can maintain a safe and reliable power supply to the area in the future. The existing cables between the existing substation in Summer Hill and the substation in Canterbury have been targeted for replacement by the end 2018. The new sections of cables would be approximately 4.4 kilometres in total length (depending on the final confirmed cable route). On 21 June and 23 June, 2016, Ausgrid held two information sessions, one at the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club and the other at the Ashfield Civic Centre, to seek local information and community feedback on potential cable routes. Interested community members were invited to the workshop directly through newsletters, social media and advertisements in local newspapers. Two presentations were given at the community information sessions, one on the project need and planning to date, and the other on the construction process. This report is a summary of feedback received at the information sessions and via direct feedback to Ausgrid after the sessions. Community feedback has been considered by the project team as part of the process to refine the options to a proposed route for further discussion with the wider community. 1a Community sessions snapshot • Ausgrid gave presentations on the project need, the planning process and general information on cable projects. • Attendees and direct respondents provided feedback on the cable options presented and on the construction process. • Community members also provided information on local areas and issues. • Other route options were also provided to Ausgrid at a later date by the community for consideration. 1b Early engagement • Early and open engagement with the community on the proposed works. • Local input on potential issues and on the presented cable route options. • Community feedback to be used as part of the process to refine the potential routes to one option. New electricity cables between Earlwood and Summer Hill | Community sessions feedback summary 3 2 Community engagement overview 2a Why we engage with the community early Early community engagement can: • help to better plan and deliver a robust project • effectively identify, assess and plan to minimise impacts from the works by engaging community early enough to incorporate feedback into the planning process • keep potentially affected community informed of the proposal and why we need to do the work • minimise surprises and impacts on the community. Local information is being sought from key stakeholders on: • areas of local significance • roadways, traffic/parking • parks/reserves, trees/vegetation • future land use • other local information. 2b Planning cable projects Ausgrid needs to consider multiple factors when planning to install new cables. These factors include: • the condition of existing cables, i.e. when they need to be replaced • feedback from local residents, businesses, community groups, other utilities, councils and other stakeholders • minimising impacts on the local environment and communities • considering areas of local importance/interest • keeping project costs down to minimise impacts on electricity bills • ensuring cables are installed and operated to relevant environmental, health and safety standards and guidelines. 2c Project and consultation stages Initially Ausgrid’s planning focused on potential ways to cross the Cooks River and the Bankstown railway line as crossing at these locations would have a significant influence on the potential cable routes. Potential options for these crossings included boring underneath the river or attaching the cables to existing bridge structures. A range of initial route options were developed for further investigation and Ausgrid began consultation with the then Canterbury Council (now Canterbury-Bankstown Council). Ausgrid investigated these routes with consideration of a range of factors and with regular consultation with Council. Following this process, Ausgrid refined the potential routes to a number of feasible options for community feedback. Community information sessions were held on 21 June and 23 June 2016 to provide attendees with information about the project and to seek local feedback on the presented potential route options. All feedback received at the sessions and directly to Ausgrid via email and phone calls was considered by the project team as part of the planning process. Community feedback received as part of this process and how this feedback