Covered power cables installed
Covered power cables will be installed throughout November to improve the power supply to more than 1000 Empire Bay and Killcare properties.
The work is part of a $2 million improvement program across the Central Coast targeting powerlines that pass through bushland, which are more susceptible to interruptions, according to Energy Australia's Central Coast region manager Mr Tom Wilcox.
"Large parts of the Central Coast's electricity network cross dense bushland, which can interfere with the electricity network," Mr Tom Wilcox said.
"Under the program we will replace uncovered power lines in key areas with covered cables, better able to protect the network from environmental factors such as trees."
Mr Wilcox said Energy Australia crews would replace 16 poles and 14 spans of overhead lines along a heavily-treed section of Empire Bay Dr between Greenfield Rd and Yugari Cres.
"We will also replace the service wires connecting customers along this section of Empire Bay Rd to the network with bundled cabling designed for areas of heavy vegetation," Mr Wilcox said.
"Specialist power line devices will also be installed which can isolate a problem to one small section of the network, limiting the number of residents affected by interruptions."
He said work was scheduled to start on November 2, and continue until at least the end of the month.
"There will be some unavoidable impacts on local residents and traffic using Empire Bay Rd during the work to allow it to be carried out safely," Mr Wilcox said.
"The work will take place from 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday, and Energy Australia will avoid weekend work if possible due to the volume of traffic on this main road."
Similar improvement projects have been earmarked for Umina and Woy Woy.
The project is part of Energy Australia's $650 million investment in the Central Coast electricity network over the next five years.
Press release, 27 Oct 2009
Allyn Hamonet, Energy Australia