Southlakes and Surrounds: Network Upgrade

In August, the second stage of the network upgrade works in the Southlakes area will commence. This will involve three key pieces of work:

• standing poles;
• stringing conductors (wires) and
• removing old poles.

These works will result in some noise; dust, traffic disruptions (as outlined below) and increased vehicles in the area including cranes and elevated work platforms (cherry pickers). We’ll work to minimise these impacts wherever possible.

Traffic management will be in place from 17th August to 11th September 2026, between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. Traffic Management staff will be in position on the following streets:

Argyle Avenue, Boundary Road, Wheelers Lane, Macquarie Road, Holmwood Drive, Crossroads Drive, and Paterson Road

For any other significant road closures, residents will be advised closer to the time.

Please feel free to reach out to the Land and Community team on 02 6883 4444 or email us on landandcommunity@essentialenergy.com.au should you have any questions.

• Prime movers/Semi trailers
• Drilling rigs
• Cranes
• Elevated Work Platforms
• Excavators/Backhoes
• Stringing equipment
• Pole bores
• Traffic signs
• Temporary fencing

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.

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 Southlakes region (the area indicated in the Section 4 to 5 map below). The works will take place between 7.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays, conditions permitting. The works are expected to be completed by November 2026.

What you can expect:

• You’ll see a range of machinery and equipment, including drill rigs, trucks, excavators and cranes being used. There’ll also be elevated work platforms/cherry pickers in operation and equipment used to string wires between power poles.
• Some noise and dust are expected from construction activities. We’ll work to minimise this wherever possible
• There’ll be an increase in vehicle activity while crews are on site. Traffic management will be in place to maintain access for residents and provide safety of the public and workers.
• For safety reasons, there will be times where power will need to be temporarily interrupted while the work is completed. Residents affected by planned outages will receive Essential Energy's standard outage notification advising the dates and times of outages affecting them, closer to the outage dates.
• When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare. Natural dulling occurs over time as they are exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind.
• To keep the network safe and maintain reliability, we’ll be working with Dubbo Regional Council to remove some vegetation and replace with new vegetation where suitable.

We will be hosting a community drop-in session at the shade structures in Southlakes Park (between Southlakes Parade and Boundary St) on Saturday 14th February from 9am to 2pm. Complete this form to register your attendance: Southlakes Community Drop-in Session Registration – Fill in form and keep an eye on this website for further details

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.