A second electricity supply has been approved for the Australian Capital Territory to safeguard against possible disruptions and natural disasters.
The construction of a second separate electricity supply for the ACT will provide substantial benefit for residents, businesses and essential government services, such as hospitals and security agencies, by securing the electricity network.
Development applications were lodged for the construction of a geographically separate substation, the Stockdill Substation, near Stockdill Drive in West Belconnen. The proposal also included associated transmission lines and towers that connect existing electrical infrastructure with the new infrastructure, creating two electrical supply routes into the ACT.
Under section 159 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, the minister can ‘call-in’ and approve an application that responds to a major policy issue. It must also have a substantial effect on achieving objectives of the Territory Plan or provide a substantial public benefit.
Construction will commence as soon as possible and utility providers will be able to meet their obligations under the ACT Electricity Transmission Supply Code (2016) to provide customers in the ACT with a secure electricity supply.
