Wollongong City Council hopes to stretch a power line above the trees and over the escarpment from a residential street at the top of Mount Pleasant to give the Mount Keira Summit Park a “reliable and sustainable” power supply.
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According to plans on public exhibition through the council’s “Have Your Say” website, the tree-top power line is “the most effective option technically, economically and environmentally”.
The scenic peak is currently powered by diesel generators, which also supply a vital communications tower at the site.
The tower is critical to Wollongong’s communication network, the council says, and provides emergency communications infrastructure.
According to the council, several different types of power supply were considered for Mount Keira, including solar panels and a connection to existing power lines at the top of the escarpment.
Solar was ruled out as the power demands of the communications tower would require “a very large expanse” of solar paneling over the top of the existing car park and in place of some trees.
A connection to the existing power lines was also deemed unsuitable, as it would not be approved by Endeavour Energy and would required the clearing of vegetation.
An assessment revealed the most viable option to be a power line built from Parrish Avenue in Mount Pleasant, which follows the general alignment of a previous power line that was owned by BHP Billiton.
The power poles and line travelling up the escarpment would be visible, however the council says there would be no clearing of vegetation.
The council is planning to complete the work next year, and expects construction to take between three and four months.
The power supply is separate to the council’s future plans for the Mount Keira Summit Park, as its main aim is to provide power for the communications tower.
However, ”any current enjoyment of the Summit Park or future endeavour to facilitate visitors will require a reliable and sustainable power supply”, the council said.