Electricity to go under Ettalong channel

A 500-metre high voltage electricity cable is planned to be buried 30 metres below the seabed of the Ettalong Channel between Booker Bay and Wagstaffe.

The five million dollar project will be "one of the biggest ever" drilling operations across the national electricity network, according to Energy Australia Central Coast area manager Mr Tom Wilcox.

Mr Wilcox said the project would improve power supply for more than 1500 homes and businesses in Wagstaffe, Pretty Beach, Hardy's Bay and Killcare.

Work on the project is expected to start at the end of this month.

"Specialist drilling equipment will be used to create a deep tunnel under the sea bed," Mr Wilcox said.

"A pre-welded cable conduit will then be pulled through the tunnel, ready to be fitted with the final 11,000 volt cable.

"Demand for power across this area of Brisbane Water area will grow by as much as 36 per cent over the next five years.

"This five million dollar upgrade will help boost supply to the area to make sure we continue to deliver a reliable supply of electricity."

Mr Wilcox said a detailed environmental assessment had been completed for the project.

"Our environmental assessments found that the drilling is best undertaken at a depth of 30 metres beneath the sea floor," Mr Wilcox said.

"These comprehensive noise, geotechnical and environmental studies recommended safeguards to help protect the environment and minimise disruption to local residents.

"We will install barriers around the work site to reduce noise from the drilling equipment and closely monitor the waterway from a boat during the work.

"Our drilling will not affect water traffic or activities, but there will be some unavoidable disruption to residents near the work site and we thank them for their understanding.

"We need to establish the drilling site at the corner of Petit St and Booker Bay Rd, which will be in place for up to nine weeks.

"To complete the conduit and cable work, we may also need to bring specialist equipment to the bottom end of Bulkara St, Wagstaffe."

Press release, 1 Apr 2010 Allyn Hamonet, EnergyAustralia