Wollongong City Council will spend almost $1 million to stretch powerlines over the Illawarra escarpment to power up Mount Keira Summit Park.
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In a report to councillors, infrastructure staff have recommended they award a $994,000 contract to ARA Electrical High Voltage Pty Ltd, known as Transelect, to built a new mains supply for the scenic park.
The lines would stretch from residential street Parrish Avenue, at the top of Mount Pleasant and over the trees in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, replacing the diesel generators currently used to power the amenities blocks, kiosk and water pump at the scenic park.
Read more: Council reveals Mt Keira Summit Park vision
The generators also supply a tower critical to Wollongong’s communication network and emergency communications infrastructure.
The new lines, which will be visible as they travel up the escarpment, will allow the council to revert to operating and maintaining a backup supply only. Costs for power will be passed directly onto the electricity users of the summit park.
The council flagged the “complex” tree-top power line project in 2016, and says it has now worked with National Parks and Wildlife Services and Endeavour Energy through “various issues and constraints and is currently waiting on final construction approval”.
“Endeavour Energy is currently reviewing the design for recertification to allow the power line to be constructed,” staff said in a report.
“Following recertification of the design, NPWS can then provide construction approval upon receipt of a certified design from Endeavour Energy.”
Read more: Mount Keira tourism plan a step closer
Optus and Telstra have agreed to each fund 19 per cent of the power project, which is expected to cost a total of about $2 million including design work, project management and construction of an access track.
Separate to the power project, the council has been working on a vision and master plan to help transform Mount Keira Summit Park into “a vibrant recreation and tourism hub”.
In the vision, the council hopes to set up “a range of sustainable, predominantly cultural and nature-based tourism activities”, like a cliff top walk, a lookout to replace the one closed due to instability, signage showing the summit’s rich Aboriginal heritage and a restaurant serving regional produce.
Investigations are underway into the creation of legal mountain bike tracks, and a draft master plan is expected to be released shortly.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
