Dubbo and Surrounds High Voltage Upgrades

In parts of Dubbo and the surrounding communities, we're making some big upgrades to our high voltage electricity network which supports homes, businesses, industry and the mining sector- from Wellington through Dubbo to Cobar and beyond. This will help us keep providing you with a safe, reliable, and resilient power supply. It will also allow us to connect new loads and renewable energy sources to the network.

One of the major changes you'll notice is the replacement of some of our existing timber and concrete power poles. The new poles will be taller and made of steel, meaning they’ll look different to the poles that you see now. We'll also be stringing new overhead wires. These significant visual changes are part of our efforts to improve the network.

Our local Essential Energy teams, along with contractors, traffic controllers, and specialists, will be carrying out these major works. We're working in many locations and will do our best to minimise disruptions to the community. Over the next 12 months, you might experience some power outages, general construction activities, and occasional road closures- we’ll have traffic control in place. Customers impacted by power outages will receive prior notification.

Please follow along here for all the latest news, project updates and information.

Construction to commence soon in South Lakes
In March / April 2026, we will be we will be replacing existing timber and concrete power poles with new, taller steel power poles and stringing new overhead wires in the South Lakes region (the area indicated in the Section 4 to 5 map below). The works are expected to be completed by November 2026.
During Construction:
Essential Energy staff and contractors will use a range of equipment including, but not limited to:
- Drill rig, flat bed and concrete trucks, excavators and cranes
- Elevated work platforms/Cherry Picker
- Stringing equipment- puller and tensioning machines, stringing blocks, cable drums and trucks
- Traffic control vehicles
The works will take place between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays
Impacts May Include:
- Noise & dust from construction activities, drilling and heavy machinery
- Increased vehicle movements and occasional road closures
- Power outages in order for work to be conducted safely on the powerlines - impacted customers will be notified separately
- Glare from the new metal poles – this will reduce over time as the poles dull with ageing (12-18 months)
- Vegetation removal – Essential Energy will be working with Dubbo Regional Council to limit removal of vegetation and where necessary, replace it with vegetation which will enable ongoing maintenance of the network.
We will be hosting community drop-in sessions in the South Lakes region in February. Keep an eye on this website for further details
Site Investigations: Geurie to Dubbo
Corridor where works will likely take place - current easement is 45m in width

Site investigations will commence between Geurie and Dubbo in November 2025 to understand local ground conditions, and any cultural and ecological sensitivities. Surveys will take place predominantly in Essential Energy’s existing easements and powerline corridors. However, at times, access to the easements may be required via private land. If this is the case, Essential Energy will contact landowners and seek landowner consent before accessing the property. This would include an understanding of any requirements such as biosecurity restrictions, and preferred access procedures and locations.

Site investigations will involve taking soil and rock data or samples using low-impact methods, such as small diameter borehole drilling and cone penetration tests. Visual inspections will also be carried out, focusing on ecology and Indigenous heritage. These investigations will also allow Essential Energy to better understand how to configure any future network upgrades to minimise impacts on affected landowners.

Depending on individual site characteristics, equipment used in site investigations may include:
- Track-mounted drill rigs
- Support Trucks
- Float Trucks
- Light commercial vehicles
Investigations will likely result in some noise and dust. At the conclusion of the investigations, sample holes will be backfilled, capped and covered. The time for each borehole varies, with works generally completed in one day. If the work extends beyond a day, the drill rig may remain onsite overnight (with owner’s permission).
In the event that rock core drilling is required (rather than just an auger), water will be used. When the hole is finished, the water used during drilling is poured down the hole and the small amount of excess is tipped on the ground.
Work hours will be 7am – 5pm.
Glare

When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare.
Natural dulling occurs over time as the galvanised steel poles are gradually exposed to environmental elements such as sunlight, rain, and wind. This leads to a thin layer of zinc oxide and other compounds forming on the surface, creating a matte, grey finish that significantly reduces glare. This process is known as patination, and enhances the pole’s resistance to corrosion, offering a protective barrier without the need for chemical treatments or coatings.
Glare from steel poles is a challenge that all electricity networks face and prior to construction we explored treatment options such as dulling agents, painting, and vinyl wrapping to reduce glare.
Although dulling agents can reduce initial glare, they ultimately produce the same result as natural weathering. Applying a treatment to the poles being installed in Dubbo was found to have a significant impact on project costs without offering a lasting improvement over what would otherwise occur naturally.
Applying paint to galvanised steel poles introduces significant maintenance and environmental concerns. During transportation and installation, painted surfaces can be easily scratched or chipped, compromising both the appearance and the protective qualities of the finish. Over time, exposure to the elements causes the paint to degrade and flake, detracting from the visual amenity of the pole and potentially creating a pollution risk.
Vinyl wrapping was also investigated. Moisture can become trapped between the wrap and the metal surface, creating an ideal environment for corrosion to develop, undermining the pole’s structural integrity and reducing its lifespan. Vinyl wraps are also known to be targets for graffiti, leading to further maintenance and aesthetic challenges. The adhesive used to secure the wrap may also deteriorate over time, resulting in peeling or bubbling, which detracts from the pole’s appearance.
After considering these options, we have determined that allowing the poles to weather naturally provides best balanced outcome for managing glare, asset life, and cost to consumers. Natural weathering minimises environmental impact, ensures lasting durability, and resolves glare issues over time. We do recognise that the initial glare from new galvanised steel poles has caused inconvenience for the community, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as the weathering process takes place.
Progress Update 17 July 2025

As we continue to make our way south through Keswick drilling holes, we've been able to commence standing new poles where concrete foundations have cured around Birch Avenue and Hennessy Drive.
See some pictures below of the new poles.
Progress Update 23 May 2025

Boring of foundations for the new poles is underway with holes mostly completed between Birch Avenue and the Mitchell Highway. Concrete has been poured which will take a few weeks to cure and then we can return to erect the new power poles in this section.
Next week (26 May), we will commence boring of foundations from Hindmarsh Esplanade, heading south towards our Zone Substation near the greyhound racing club. We don't anticipate any impacts to roads or traffic but there will be noise from the drilling rig as it bores holes during normal construction hours.
Here's what you can expect the new poles to look like
- Up to 34m tall
- Steel composition
- Concrete footing base
Some of the equipment we'll be using
- Prime movers/Semi trailers
- Drilling rigs
- Cranes
- Elevated Work Platforms
- Excavators/Backhoes
- Stringing equipment
- Pole bores
- Traffic signs
- Temporary fencing
Work zone maps and impacts