A second electricity supply for the ACT is to be fast-tracked following the Minister for Planning ‘calling in’ development applications for a site in West Belconnen.
The Minister, Mick Gentleman, said the construction of a second separate electricity supply for the ACT was crucial to safeguarding the network against future disruptions such as storms and fires.
“It will provide substantial benefit for residents, businesses and essential Government services, such as hospitals and security Agencies, by securing the electricity network,” Mr Gentleman said.
He said his approval of the development applications would allow work to start as soon as possible on new infrastructure and in turn protect against possible future outages.
He said development applications were lodged for the construction of a geographically separate substation, the Stockdill Substation, near Stockdill Drive in West Belconnen.
“The proposal also included associated transmission lines and towers that connect existing electrical infrastructure with the new infrastructure, creating two electrical supply routes into the ACT,” he said.
“Under section 159 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, the Minister can ‘call-in’ and approve an application that responds to a major policy issue.
“It must also have a substantial effect on achieving objectives of the Territory Plan or provide a substantial public benefit.”
Mr Gentleman said he also exercised his call-in power so utility providers could meet their obligations under the ACT Electricity Transmission Supply Code to provide customers in the ACT with a secure electricity supply.
“The proposal has undergone significant community consultation through the Environmental Impact Statement and development application processes,” the Minister said.
“I have considered the community feedback on the proposal and I am confident that the final alignment has the least impact of the options available,” he said.
