POWERCOR vs the people of Ardeer

Tuesday 22nd June 2010

 

POWERCOR vs the people of Ardeer, VIC

 

HOT topic - Powercor is putting 66000V powerlines through Ardeer along Ridgeway Pde, Nancy St & Whitesides Ave. These powerlines are 10m from houses, and 8m from kindergarten. Absolutely appalling!!!!

 

STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING (if they are allowed to do this, what is stopping them from doing it in your community?).

 

Write to Powercor - feedback@powercor.com.au or Locked Bag 14090 Melbourne 8001

 

Can you imagine living 10m from high voltage powerlines? SES rescue trucks & lighting towers wont even be able to help residents in the street due to the close proximity to the lines. 

 

These works involve the installation of high voltage (66kV) powerlines for the distribution of power from the Ardeer substation to the Paramount Industrial Estate on theother side of Western Ring Road.

 

The Community is NOT being treated fairly by the distributor. The distributor has not bothered to consult our community, nor consider alternatives such as the construction of the planned substation in Deer Park which would allow an alternative route not closeto houses.

 

Permission to install the power poles was given by Brimbank City Council in March 2010, however ONE of the conditions of this permit was that Powercor was to consult with the local community on the works. This has not occurred. Powercor began installing the poles in April and it was only 3 days later when Mr. John Kodric raised concerns about the poles that Powercor sent a letter to SOME of the residents. Not only was this letter a standard letter that contained very little specific information, the number at the bottom of the letter that was provided as a contact was disconnected.

 

WHY is council refusing to uphold the conditions of the permit by applying appropriatepenalties or terminating the permit and why Powercor will not put these linesunderground?

 

SP Ausnet, who owns Powercor, have recorded profits well over $200m, yet they say the costof putting these lines underground is prohibitive and they will not do it. Theextra cost involved in putting these lines underground is FAR less importantthan it is to safeguarding the health of our children and environment.

 

 

The lines should be placed underground for the following reasons:  

 

• Epidemiological studies indicate that there is a distinct link between EMF exposures of >0.4uT and childhood leujaemia. The economic cost of childhood leukaemia is estaimated to be $1.5M per case.

• According to the National Grid typical ground level field levels from a 66kV line range from 0.5- 2uT. There is a kindergarden that is 10m away from the base of the poles.

• The poles are 15m high, while houses are only located 10m away from the poles. This is an UNACCEPTABLE risk. 

• With the increase in extreme weather events (high winds), the poles place a huge risk to both the train line and proprieties in the area.

• The poles are an eyesore, obtrusive and will cause all the houses surrounded by the poles to rapidly depreciate in price. Currently with the poles in place, the area is undesirable for buying as there are now 2 sets of power poles in the streets listed above.

• Residents have lost trees within Ardeer, at which there is currently very little trees left. This also creates issues around the potential loss of local flora and fauna habitats and habitat corridors.

 

Even better… DONT put ANY new powerlines at all!!!!! Aren’t we supposed to be encouraging sustainability. New housing estates are proliferating to accommodate for the rise in population. But we have NO water, and we are trying to achieve lower carbon emissions. Why not start a revolution & build a housing estate that is at least 40% sustainable? Surely they would make more money (& exposure) out of that?

 

 

R

 

 

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