Port Hacking cable crossing project Community engagement and feedback summary August 2016

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Claire Norman
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1 Port Hacking cable crossing project Community engagement and feedback summary August 2016 For period from April 2016 to 12 August

2 Contents Contents Project background Project options Further investigations Community engagement overview Key objective of Ausgrid s engagement with the community Overview of engagement activities Feedback summary Pole options Presented pole options...error! Bookmark not defined. Three pole option... 7 Single pole option Feedback on the options... 8 Three pole option... 8 Single pole option... 8 Other feedback Issues and questions raised during the engagement process Project need Vegetation Submarine cable or under bore option Lightning strikes Operational Noise High winds Positioning of street pole lighting Construction timing and duration Power outages during pole and cable installation and cable Next Steps... 11

3 1 Project background The suburbs of Bundeena and Maianbar are located adjacent to the Royal National Park on the southern side of the Port Hacking River and have approximately 1,300 customers. These suburbs are normally supplied by two 11,000 Volt feeders from Cronulla zone substation as follows: 11,000 Volt underground submarine cables (approximately 1.18km) to Bundeena 11,000 Volt single span overhead power lines (approximately 800 metres) from Burraneer to Maianbar. The overhead power lines cross from Rutherford Reserve at the bottom of Woolooware Road, Burraneer and Ausgrid-owned land at 47 Pacific Crescent East, Maianbar. In 2010, Ausgrid s overhead crossing was surveyed from its lowest point at 13 metres above the maximum high water level. In January 2011, a yacht s mast made contact with the 11,000 Volt overhead power line crossing the Port Hacking River between Maianbar and Burraneer. NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has advised Ausgrid that the height of the largest vessel seen in the area has been a yacht with a 22 metre mast. Consequently, an independent risk assessment has been completed. The study concluded that the crossing has a risk rating of extreme (code rated as intolerable), as it spans a popular waterway that is used for recreational and commercial purposes, attracting many different vessel types. Additionally, there are no bridges or other structures that restrict tall vessels from entering this section of the waterway and coming into contact with the power line. Due to this high risk rating, a number of options have been developed to address this risk. Interim recommendations made to alleviate this risk included installation of new warning signage and retaining the existing marker balls. However, as this is a wide river crossing, signage is difficult to see from the middle of the crossing. As such, alternative options have been investigated to mitigate the potential for future risk. These are detailed below in section Project options Ausgrid started to plan option on how to address the risk of the current water crossing. The following options were initially considered by Ausgrid: Option 1: Install new underground 11,000 Volt cables by underground bore (known as horizontal directional drilling) between Burraneer and Maianbar. Option 2: Install new 11,000 Volt submarine cables between Burraneer and Maianbar. Option 3: Replace the poles at Burraneer and Maianbar with larger or additional poles and retension the existing cables to achieve a 26 metre minimum clearance across the river. New poles would be installed into structural slabs and the existing timber power poles replaced. Option 4: Turn off the 11,000 Volt overhead supply and leave available for emergency service only. Option 5: Install a generator. Option 6: Install new signage only. Option 1 was examined closely, but ruled out on environmental, cost and construction grounds associated with an underground bore of this length. Option 2 was also ruled out as submarine cables due to potential environmental risks. 3

Option 4 was ruled out for network security reasons as Ausgrid would be unable to provide reliable supply to the surrounding areas. Option 5 was considered to not be feasible for operational reasons.

4 Option 4 was ruled out for network security reasons as Ausgrid would be unable to provide reliable supply to the surrounding areas. Option 5 was considered to not be feasible for operational reasons. Option 6 was discounted as signs are not always visible from the middle of the channel and so not a viable option to address the risk. From this study, Option 3 was determined by Ausgrid to be the preferred approach. 1.2 Further investigations Ausgrid carried out a preliminary environmental assessment in November 2013 on the preferred option. The objective of the preliminary assessment was to investigate the environmental impact of an increase in the span height across the Port Hacking River to ensure the crossing would be compliant with the Code for Electricity Crossings of NSW Navigable Waters for assets crossing waterways. In July 2014, site investigations were completed as part of the assessment of the technical feasibility of raising the span to comply with the Code. Letters were delivered in advance of this work to residents and businesses. The notification letters also provided information about our plans and the need for the project. The notification advised that the proposed new poles would be required to be taller than those in the existing crossing. Figure 1 Location photo showing existing power lines from the Maianbar side

5 2 Community engagement overview 2.1 Key objectives The objectives of early engagement on the proposed works were to: outline the need for the project to the community. receive local input as part of the project planning process. use community feedback as part of the process to select a preferred option minimise impacts on surrounding community during construction by receiving local information and working to resolve any issues before the project is finalised provide opportunities for the community to get involved, receive information and to raise issues during all project stages. 2.2 Overview of engagement activities Ausgrid established a project page on Ausgrid s web site, completed door knocks, delivered letters, made phone calls and held meetings and community information sessions as part of the initial community engagement. Ausgrid consulted with local residents and businesses on both sides of the river (Burraneer and Maianbar) between 12 May 2016 and 12 August Two options were presented to the community and are described in sections 2.2 and 2.3. As the change in pole and conductor height would change the view from some homes on either side of the river, two options were developed for the pole upgrade. Ausgrid was also keen to understand from the community whether there were other options or issues that needed to be considered. A summary of the community engagement activity is set out below. 12 May members of the project team door knocked and delivered letters to 65 Maianbar homes and businesses along Pacific Crescent, east of Bargo Street. 13 May members of the project team door knocked and delivered letters to 68 Burraneer homes along Woolooware Road, Loch Lomond Crescent and Rutherford Avenue (that are adjacent to or look towards Rutherford Reserve). Ausgrid asked interested residents to register their contact details and were surveyed to determine the most suitable day and time for community information sessions. 13 July a newsletter describing the crossing options was delivered to the same homes and businesses in Burraneer and Maianbar. The newsletter provided details of the project background and need, the options that were being considered, community information session dates and times, along with contact details for the community team. A copy of the newsletter was provided to the Maianbar Happenings community newsletter and details of which were included in the July 2016 issue, posted on the front door of the Maianbar Beach café and sent to Sutherland Shire Council bush care group responsible for the Rutherford Reserve in Burraneer for information. The project web page was updated with project details and a link to the newsletter. 1 August a community information session was held at Rutherford Reserve, Burraneer with six residents in attendance. 2 August a community information session was held at outside Maianbar Beach Cafe, Maianbar Reserve, Burraneer with four residents in attendance. 5

6 2.3 Feedback summary Feedback was received from residents at community information sessions and afterwards via phone, community feedback forms, s and letters. Individual stakeholder briefings were also carried out with interested residents and the editor of the Maianbar Happenings community newsletter during the feedback period. Key points about the community engagement: 24% of residents and businesses who were door knocked and/or received the newsletter registered for further information (from 135 residences and businesses). Almost 40% of registrants provided further feedback during the consultation period. One resident objected to the project..although the attendance numbers were low, other people contacted the community team directly to provide feedback or did so when the project team completed door knocks. Over twenty residences and businesses from the Maianbar area and twelve residences from Burraneer registered their interest and/or provided feedback. Key community feedback was largely based around project need, the visual impact of the new poles and the duration and impact of construction. All issues and questions raised and Ausgrid s responses are detailed in the next section. Ausgrid has reviewed the community feedback received during this consultation process along with other factors as part of preparing a preferred option. Following community feedback, Ausgrid started further planning on the single pole option. The presented options can be seen below.

3 Pole options 3.1 Three pole option This option involves installing three 33 metre steel poles (embedded 3 metres into the ground) at Burraneer and Maianbar.

Key points considered: Figure 2 Photo montage view from Burraneer 30 metres above ground level Three pole configuration Larger construction footprint More complex construction Potentially more road

2 Single pole option This option involves installing a single 36 metre pole (embedded 4 metres into the ground) at Burraneer and one at Maianbar.

7 3 Pole options 3.1 Three pole option This option involves installing three 33 metre steel poles (embedded 3 metres into the ground) at Burraneer and Maianbar. The new conductors (required electrical equipment that you generally see on power poles) would be installed and connected to new poles in the same horizontal orientation as the current installation. Key points considered: Figure 2 Photo montage view from Burraneer 30 metres above ground level Three pole configuration Larger construction footprint More complex construction Potentially more road closures during construction Higher environmental impact Shorter and thinner poles. Figure 3 Photo montage view from Maianbar 3.2 Single pole option This option involves installing a single 36 metre pole (embedded 4 metres into the ground) at Burraneer and one at Maianbar. With a single pole, the three conductors would be attached in a vertical orientation. The lowest conductor will be at the same height as the conductors in the three pole option, with the other two conductors attached above. These poles would be two metres higher than the three pole option to achieve the required clearance over the water (as there is required spacing between the conductors). Key points considered: Figure 4 Photo montage view from Burraneer 32 metres above ground level Single pole configuration Smaller construction footprint Visually less bulky Fewer road closures during construction More cost-effective Taller and thicker pole Figure 5 Photo montage view from Maianbar 7

8 4 Feedback on the options Please find below details on the feedback provided on the presented pole options Three pole option Two residents from Burraneer thought that due to the greater visible bulk; the three pole installation could be safer for passing aircraft. This was raised as a potential benefit. Ausgrid advised that it is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirement that aircraft operators must be fully aware of the location of all cable crossings and their height before flying in a particular area. Ausgrid would continue to consult with CASA regarding its requirements for this crossing. Single pole option The option to install a single 36 metre pole (embedded 4 metres into the ground) at Burraneer and Maianbar received the majority of community support. All residents and business owners who expressed an opinion about the new pole options supported these options. Other feedback One response was received from a Maianbar resident who objected to the pole proposals. Issues raised were that the proposal would create a possible health hazard, would have a major visual impact and that the proposed single pole would resemble a tower. He was also concerned that telecommunications equipment may be added. The resident who objected had a preference for a submarine cable crossing. The project team provided feedback to this resident while this option which had already been considered but was not pursued due to environmental, cost and construction reasons.

9 4.1 Issues and questions raised during the engagement process Issue or question Community feedback Ausgrid response Project need A Maianbar resident questioned the project need, maintaining that there were fewer water craft seen in the Port Hacking area as the channel has become narrower and shallower Vegetation Neighbouring residents in the immediate vicinity of the existing Burraneer and Maianbar pole structures raised concerns about how the bush area below the poles would be affected, restored and maintained in the future. A question about how established trees and planted screening at the base of the Maianbar poles was also raised. Ausgrid pointed out that although the risk of future collisions is low, the consequence of a collision would be catastrophic and that it was a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) requirement that Ausgrid addresses the risk profile of the crossing accordingly. Ausgrid advised that this matter would be addressed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out when the design is completed and that residents would be consulted as part of this process. Ausgrid would work to minimise any impacts on surrounding vegetation as much as possible Submarine cable or under bore option Two Maianbar residents questioned whether a submarine or under-bored cable had been considered. As mentioned in Section 2 submarine cables were considered but due to potential environmental risk were not pursued. The exclusion of the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) option was based on the fact that the construction period would be longer and more disruptive to local residents and businesses. There would be greater impacts on the Maianbar car park and potentially on the Maianbar bus service. The cost to construct an HDD cable route would be considerably more expensive i.e. up to eight times the cost of an overhead solution. Additionally, constructing an HDD under a waterway comes with its own construction risks such with potential environmental impacts. 9

10 Issue or question Community feedback Ausgrid response Lightning strikes Concerns were raised from the Burraneer session regarding a history of lightning strikes to power poles in the area Operational Noise Burraneer residents in the immediate vicinity of the existing pole structures on the Burraneer side reported that a noticeable humming sound can be heard coming from the cables particularly at night when the background noise levels are lower High winds A Maianbar resident raised the concern of the effect of high winds causing power spikes, surges and failures. Ausgrid has noted this feedback and would examine the risk and effect of further occurrences in the future. Ausgrid responded that this is likely to be natural resonance from the conductor cables and suppressors could be fitted to the new installation if this issue persisted. Ausgrid advised that it operates a number of higher overhead installations in high wind conditions (particularly in the Hunter and Central Coast areas). It is likely that the noted effects were the result of other network incidents associated with high wind periods Positioning of street pole lighting A Burraneer resident requested the repositioning of a street light near their home. Unless the power pole hosting the street light has to be moved or replaced as part of the construction, then this request is more likely to be a matter for the local council Construction timing and duration A number of residents were keen to understand the timing and duration of the construction work. Detailed design and the Environmental Impact Assessment have yet to be carried out. After these steps have been completed procurement of the new power poles will mean that construction is unlikely to start before early The project will take approximately 6-12 months to complete Power outages during pole and cable installation and cable A Maianbar resident questioned whether the construction would impact electricity service to the area. Parts of Maianbar will require a temporary electricity supply during critical stages of the construction. Switching to and from that temporary supply may require short interruption to service, however, residents and businesses will be notified in advance of these outages.

11 5 Next Steps From the community information sessions and subsequent feedback received there was a general understanding that the current crossing needs to be upgraded for safety reasons, and that the single pole option provides the optimum solution to address that need. As a result, Ausgrid is proceeding with the project planning based on the single pole option. An environmental assessment is currently being prepared. The environmental assessment will investigate any potential environmental impacts associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed pole and the project overall. It will also recommend mitigation measures to ensure any impacts are minimised, where possible. Residents and businesses in the area will receive further information regarding the start of work once the environmental assessment and the detailed design is complete and the project is approved for construction. Subject to this approval, work is expected to start in Ausgrid will maintain ongoing community engagement with residents and businesses near the respective pole locations as the project progresses. 11

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