Community consultation criticised

No sooner had its St Huberts Island project been announced than Energy Australia was again receiving criticism over its community consultation.

"It is disturbing that this project of major significance is being undertaken without the detailed consultation with the community as stated in the news release," said St Huberts Island Resident's Association president Mr Ron Spratt.

The electricity supplier has previously been criticised by members of the Empire Bay community for its consultation over plans for its Empire Bay substation.

Central Coast area manager Mr Tom Wilcox said Energy Australia had written to all homes on the Island in January to inform them of the upcoming works.

"We have written to every home on the island to make sure they are aware of the work ahead," he said.

"We want the local community to be well aware of the upcoming works to help minimise any disruption.

"We will also be providing project information and updates to the St Huberts Island Residents Association, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Gosford City Council and local members of parliament."

According to St Huberts Island Resident's Association president Mr Ron Spratt, no project information had been received by the association.

"To date the only advice being the general correspondence to residents dated 7 December 2010," he said.

Mr Spratt said a number of disruptions had occurred to power supply in recent years in some areas of the Island.

"The cause in some instances being a major defect in the cables coupled with an explosive incident.

"A couple of incidents, in the same location in Helmsman Boulevard, caused serious damage to the cabling and footway area, necessitating major and urgent restoration works.

"Residents described the area immediately prior to the incident as vibrating with the sensation of a minor tremor.

"In other instances, residents in areas of the Island were without permanent power supply for several days and the trenches where the works were carried out were continually pumped to dewater the trenches to allow the works to be done," said Mr Spratt.

Mr Spratt said he was concerned that some of the longer established allotments on the northern end of the Island had not been provided with the undergrounding of electrical services.

"There is no indication that this work may be included in the present proposal," he said.

Energy Australia said it has not received any complaints about the existing system.

Kaitlin Watts, 1 Feb 2011 Interviewee: Ron Spratt Media Release, 25 Jan 2011 Allyn Hamonet, Energy Australia