DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES POWERLINE RELOCATION AN ASSIStance SCHEME FOR LOCAL AREAS SKIES ARE CLEARING OVER VICTORIA Before and After/ Evan Street, Sunbury Before and After/ Victoria Street, Eaglehawk Before and After/ Hamilton Street, Horsham Before and After/ Barnard Street, Bendigo Before and After/ Myers Street, Bendigo Before and After/ Hargreaves Street, Bendigo Before and After/ St Vincent Place, South Melbourne MINISTERIAL FOREWARD INSIDE The Powerline Relocation Scheme is a The scheme is flexible and I encourage Welcome 03 great success story – in 2008 the scheme councils considering relocating powerlines Funding celebrated the completion of 250 projects to contact the committee to discuss the Guiding Principles for Assessment across regional and metropolitan Victoria scope of potential projects. of Eligible Projects 04 to relocate powerlines underground. I congratulate those councils who have This signals the Brumby Government’s Why relocate powerlines in shown leadership and foresight by long term commitment to working in your community? 05 including the relocation of powerlines partnership with local councils to create into their public works program and look Case Story one: Skies clearing more liveable communities. forward to continuing to work with local over Geelong 07 Since the scheme’s inception in 1995, over government on this important initiative. Case Story two: Skies clearing $30 million has been contributed towards over Bendigo 11 the relocation of powerlines underground, Best Practice 14 of which nearly 80 per cent were regional projects. Approximately 75 per cent of all Funds and cost sharing 14 local councils have accessed the program How to apply for funding 15 at some point in time. Peter Batchelor Minister for Energy and Resources Criteria for identifying Administered by the Powerline Relocation eligible projects 16 Committee through the Department of Primary Industries, the Powerline Relocation Submission guidelines 17 Scheme is working with Victorians to Associated considerations 18 help make significant improvements to their environment. Option checklist 19 The primary objective of the scheme is to improve the visual amenity in areas of high pedestrian or vehicular activity, and areas of environmental, cultural or historic importance. The relocation of powerlines can also provide improved community safety, facilitate better access for the elderly and disabled and improve the reliability of electricity supply. Before and After/ Mount Joy, Lorne WELCOME The Powerline Relocation Scheme can provide up to 50% funding for any project it sees as bringing value to the community. The Powerline Relocation Scheme is This booklet is intended to assist administered by the Powerline Relocation prospective applicants in the preparation Committee. The work of the Committee is of submissions for consideration by the to assist local communities in improving the Powerline Relocation Committee. visual amenity of distribution powerlines in Enquires may be directed to: areas which are of importance because of environmental, historic or scenic significance; The Secretary or high pedestrian or vehicular use. Powerlines Relocation Committee Department of Primary Industries Successful projects are usually granted c/– 14 Graduate Crescent funding on a dollar for dollar basis however Wheelers Hill 3150 projects considered of a greater or lesser Telephone 03 9511 4937 merit, may attract an alternate subsidy rate. Facsimile 03 9511 4936 Co-contributions for a project might also Email [email protected] be sought from the council itself, other government grants programs, businesses and or developers, private residents, the local electricity distribution company and the telecommunications carriers. Discussion with councils shows there has been success in recent years receiving co-funding on some projects through grants from the Department of Infrastructure and Heritage Victoria. 02/03 Powerline Relocation GUIDING PRINCIPLES WHY RELOCATE POWERLINES FOR ASSESSMENT OF IN YOUR COMMUNITY? ELIGIBLE PROJECT – Projects must benefit the local, if not wider – Powerline relocation work should be carried community. The benefits must be able to out on a competitive basis. While the local Although the Powerline Relocation be clearly demonstrated. Priority is given distribution business will need to be consulted to areas of high pedestrian activity, high on the design and implementation of a project, Scheme offers funding specifically environmental or cultural value or to major competitive tenders should be invited for larger access roads. Priority is also given to projects parts of the works, such as detailed design, within the set criteria, powerline that are scheduled with other street supply of materials, or construction work. improvements programs such as a well – Existing or proposed distribution powerlines, relocation when considered as developed streetscape strategy. operating at voltages of up to and including – Projects need the tangible support of the 22,000 volts are eligible for consideration. part of wider public works program Local Government Authority. Submissions – Undergrounding of sub-transmission and high would normally be forwarded to the voltage transmission lines (66,000 volts or can return many benefits: Committee, through local government above) generally will not be considered for unless there are special circumstances. subsidy, due largely to the technical – Restoration of the identity of historic places – Powerline relocation activities which the complexities and the high costs involved. – Attraction of tourism electricity distribution businesses would However, consideration for a subsidy may be normally be expected to carry out are not considered if the project meets the funding – More trees on street sides subsidised. For example, if lines were criteria and there are funds available under – More space for parking to be moved as part of bushfire mitigation the scheme. then those works would be funded by the – More alfresco space for restaurants distribution business and would not and cafes be eligible for a subsidy. – Improved power reliability because placing wires underground can offer more protection from trees, ice, wind, and other damage during storms – Improved safety and access for the handicapped and elderly – Improved vistas – General enhancement of livability for the community 04/05 Powerline Relocation SKIES CLEARING OVER GEELONG Bruce Harwood, Mayor for Ten years on, Geelong is a great powerlines the City of Greater Geelong, success story, with 17 projects completed, including the award winning urban renewal has some short and sweet of the iconic Geelong waterfront and the advice for councils considering 2008 transformation of Barwon Heads main the Powerline Relocation retail street. Scheme. “Go for it!” Mayor Harwood explains the positive impact Powerline Relocation has had on By working in partnership the community. with the Department of “By removing unsightly powerlines and poles Primary Industries, the City lining some of our streets, we have done Before of Greater Geelong has wonders for our city. There is the improved accessed nearly $3 million in safety for the aged and the handicapped that comes with a less cluttered footpath, funding since 1995 to relocate you can increase roadside tree planting – powerlines underground. which is always a plus – and overall just create a greater sense of open space.” Peter Jeffreys, Geelong City Coordinator of the Urban Design Major Projects team, agrees, “Councils interested in de-cluttering streetscapes and improving recreation spaces and retail centres should definitely consider the Powerline Relocation Scheme. By removing overhead lines, we can plant larger species of trees on road sides, as well as improve the aesthetic of the streetscape and skyline. It has really improved public space in Geelong City and made it a more attractive placeBeach toRoad be.” Beach Road After Before and After/ Eastern Beach Road, Geelong Powerlines underground Prority future works Current works 06/07 Powerline Relocation PROJECT SPOTLIGHT PROJECT SPOTLIGHT sOME GOOD ADVICE URBAN renewal OF THE Barwon HEADS GOES UNDERGROUND FroM AN EXPERIENCED HAND GEELONG waterFRONT Until 1996, the north-facing shore of Corio The $1.5 million Barwon Heads Streetscape Peter Jeffries reveals his top five tips for Bay in Geelong, 40 minutes drive from Project was completed in 2007 and included councils considering powerline relocation. Melbourne, was almost exclusively devoted powerline relocation that allowed new street 1 Ensure you give your electricity distributor to maritime and general industry. In 1995, lighting, new road and footpaths, tree plenty of notice for any projects, because the Victorian State Government and the City planting and street furniture. one of the major challenges we faced was of Greater Geelong formed a partnership to managing Powercor timelines for design redevelop and beautify the area, stimulate The aim was to improve access for and tendering of works due to their the local economy and attract tourism. The pedestrians in the main trading strip and industry work pressures. project would not be complete without the to create a fresh new look that reflected beautification of the surrounding streets as a the village atmosphere of Barwon Heads. 2 Fully brief affected property owners/ result of powerline relocation. businesses of the proposed powerline Peter Jeffries, Geelong City Coordinator relocation works and seek their support in Bruce Harwood, Mayor