South Jerrabomberra FAQ’s
Materials used
Vegetation clearances
How often we inspect and perform maintenance on the powerline and other pieces of equipment
Ensuring our design and operations comply with relevant regulations
Monday to Friday between 7.00am and 6.00pm
Saturday between 8.00am and 1.00pm
Monday to Saturday between 7.00am and 6.00pm
Who is Essential Energy?
Essential Energy builds, operates and maintains one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks, servicing 885,000 customers across regional, rural and remote NSW and parts of southern Queensland.
Our footprint covers 95 per cent of NSW, traversing 737,000 square kilometres of landmass with 183,612 kilometres of powerline.
What is Essential Energy’s role in the South Jerrabomberra project?
Essential Energy is responsible for the design, construction and ongoing operating of a new substation and powerline to deliver electricity to the South Jerrabomberra development area.
What community considerations have you taken on board?
Essential Energy is committed to ensuring the community has had the opportunity to provide feedback on the project.
In 2021 Essential Energy letterbox dropped residents in the Crestwood, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra areas and met with local community organisations. Feedback received was provided to our technical specialists to inform the project’s design and finalisation.
What changes have been made to the plan to incorporate community concerns?
Essential Energy has sought to mitigate impacts to the natural environment and maintain visual amenity as much as possible.
The overhead powerline component of the project will be built along a disused rail corridor. Some parts of the powerline construction will be undergrounded to lessen the visual impact to the community.
Essential Energy has engaged ecologists to undertake numerous studies to ensure that the natural environment is preserved during the construction and operation of the powerline.
Has the project considered potential bushfire risks of the new powerline infrastructure?
Essential Energy has designed the powerline project to address the risk of bushfire.
These design considerations include:
Further information can be obtained from Essential Energy’s Bushfire Risk Management Plan CEOP8022
Why hasn’t the project been put underground
Essential Energy heard from some community members that they wanted the powerline to be underground, particularly around Tompsitt Drive.
As a result of this feedback, Essential undertook a technical study to understand if this was feasible. While some parts of the design will be undergrounded, there were several engineering and terrain challenges in undergrounding the entire project. It is also difficult to identify faults on an underground network which generally require complex repairs, resulting in longer restoration times for customers during unplanned outages.
Will this project have an impact on my power bill?
The project is funded by the proponents of the South Jerrabomberra Development area. No project costs will be passed onto customers’ bills.
What is the benefit of the South Jerrabomberra powerline project?
The South Jerrabomberra powerline project will provide power supply to the South Jerrabomberra development area. This development involves the creation of 1,500 residential housing lots, a business park, industrial estate, Innovation Precinct, Regional Sports Complex, Intermodal Transport Hub and a new High School.
Additionally, the new powerline and substation will strengthen our existing electricity network and increase its capacity which will help support future electricity connections and better position Essential Energy to meet our customers’ future electricity needs.
The South Jerrabomberra development will allow thousands of new customers to connect to Essential Energy’s network, ultimately contributed to reducing the cost of electricity prices for all customers.
Hours of operation
Construction of the powerlines will be completed-
Construction of the Zone Substation will be completed-
Impacted residents will be consulted prior to any work being performed outside these hours.
Who has been awarded the contract to deliver the work?
Essential Energy will be using the expertise of multiple contractors to work alongside our own teams to deliver the project.
When will construction of the powerline start and when will it finish?
Construction is scheduled to commence mid July 2023 over multiple stages and be completed in April 2024. Essential Energy will be providing regular construction updates on South Jerrabomberra high voltage supply project | Essential Engagement (essentialenergy.com.au).
Why is the powerline required? Why is it necessary?
To provide safe and reliable power to the South Jerrabomberra Development area.
Are stakeholders and the community being informed throughout the project?
We are committed to keeping the community and stakeholders updated throughout the project.
Essential Energy will provide regular construction updates on South Jerrabomberra high voltage supply project | Essential Engagement (essentialenergy.com.au).
If you would like further information, please contact Community Relations Manager - Josh Galloway directly at jgalloway@essentialenergy.com.au
What environmental studies have you completed?
Our Environmental Impact Assessments are linked below-
How do I receive regular updates on the project?
Where do I go for further information?
Contact Essential Energy’s Community Relations Manager - Josh Galloway directly at jgalloway@essentialenergy.com.au or visit South Jerrabomberra high voltage supply project | Essential Engagement (essentialenergy.com.au) for information about the powerline project.
For information on the NSW Governments Regional Job Precincts program project visit Regional Job Precincts in NSW | NSW Government
For information on the Poplars Innovation precinct visit Poplars For information on Village Building Co visit South Jerrabomberra
For information on local Council visit QPRC