Ballarat East Zone Substation

Please note pictures of the substation are artist impressions only.

What is happening?

The Ballarat East substation will be located at 203 York Street on land owned by Powercor. This land has been zoned for use “for the construction of services and utilities” for more than 50 years.

Powercor has zone substations in the heart of residential communities in regions like Geelong, Warrnambool, Werribee, Sunshine, Melton, Laverton, Waurn Ponds and Torquay.

The Ballarat East substation will include an architecturally-designed exterior that will be co-designed with the local community. It will also feature technology that reduces the risk of powerline-related bushfires by instantly cutting power if a line is contacted.

Powercor is investing over $30 million to build the new zone substation. As part of the project, Powercor has developed a $2 million Community Benefits Package to provide benefits for individuals and the broader community. As part of this package, Powercor will establish a $200,000 Community Legacy Fund to support investments in parks, recreation or security within the community.

Work is expected to start in late 2024 and be completed before the 2025-2026 summer.

Why is this project important?

The Ballarat East Zone Substation will support Ballarat’s growing population, which is driving an increase in electricity demand on existing infrastructure.

It will support the growth in solar installations, electric vehicles and other electric equipment, and the network in the event of power outages and extreme weather.

The substation will also feature technology designed to protect the broader community by reducing the risk of powerline-related bushfires.

How to get involved

We are committed to working with the local community to design the new Ballarat Zone Substation and the nearby surrounds and invite you to play a pivotal role through our community co-design initiative.

Stage 2 community consultation now open!

We’re excited to announce that stage 2 community consultation is now live. We invite you to participate in the survey and share your preferences on the final fence design, colour choices, feature lighting options, and final ideas for the Community Benefit Fund.

To have your say go to Engage Powercor and complete the survey.

We welcome your input until 30 November 2024, when the survey will close. So please take the opportunity to share your thoughts before then.

Other ways to shape the project

If you would like to request a conversation with us personally you can call 13 22 06 during business hours or email majorprojects@powercor.com.au(External link).

You can also sign up to receive email updates on this project at Engage Powercor.

Webinar – EMF and water management

Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar on Wednesday 31 July. The recording is now available and can viewed at engage.powercor.com.au/ballarateastzss.

A copy of all Q&As will also be published on our engagement website soon. If you have any further questions or require assistance viewing the webinar recording please email majorprojects@powercor.com.au

Response to City of Ballarat

On 22 May 2024, the City of Ballarat Council moved a motion seeking an on-site visit between Powercor representative, councillors, council officers and residents in relation to the Ballarat East Zone Sub-Station project. Our response can be viewed here.

Visit our Ballarat East Zone Substation project page on Engage Powercor to contribute to the design of the substation and sign up for email updates.

For all other enquiries, email us at majorprojects@powercor.com.au.