Substation at Calderwood Urban Development to move further away from school

The Department of Planning and Environment has approved a modification to relocate the site of a future electricity substation at Calderwood to build it further away from existing and proposed schools in the area.

Lend Lease’s Concept Plan for Calderwood will provide up to 4,800 homes as well as shops, cafes, restaurants, open space and environmentally protected lands.

The original planned location of the substation was close to the existing Illawarra Christian School and the proposed State primary and secondary schools.

“The substation will be instead be built about 300 metres east along Calderwood Road, closer to the existing electric network and further from the school,” a spokesperson for the Department said.

The modification request was made available for public feedback and nearby residents and Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils were notified.

The Department received two submissions that were concerned with the impact on the view of existing residents.

The Department has assessed the modification request, the submission and Lend Lease’s response that detailed what the substation would look like and addressed impacts on views.

Following its assessment, the Department determined that the future substation should be built in the new proposed location.

“The Department has also recommended as a condition of consent, that a 10 metre wide buffer of trees and vegetation must be built along the boundary to reduce the view of the substation,” the spokesperson said.

Modern substations are designed to co-exist with neighbours, particularly in terms of noise, safety and urban design. The substation will be constructed similarly to one built in Figtree (as shown below).

Endeavour Energy has advised they will notify and consult with neighbours when planning the substation.

For more information about the modification request and the Department’s assessment, visit the Major Projects website.