Construction work on the installation of powerlines at Mt Keira Summit Park will begin this month.
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An overhead powerline will run from Parrish Avenue, Mt Pleasant to the park above the tree canopy of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
An underground powerline will also be installed.
Wollongong City Council will spend almost $1 million on the project.
ARA Electrical High Voltage Pty Ltd, known as Transelect, won the contract to build the new mains supply for the scenic park in July.
The power will service the communications tower, which contains commercial and emergency services transmitters, council’s amenities block, water pumps, barbeques and a new pop-up style temporary kiosk.
Diesel generators provided power previously.
Power costs will be passed directly onto the electricity users of the summit park.
The new power poles will be delivered in December this year. A helicopter will install a pole in the conservation area.
Ahead of the installation of the power poles, contractors will carry out trenching works within the Queen Elizabeth Drive road reserve during the next two months.
Works are expected to be completed by May 2019, depending on weather.
Drivers are being asked to take care along the road and follow the advice of traffic control staff while work is under way.
The council has been working closely with Endeavour Energy and National Parks and Wildlife Service to get approval for the powerlines, and to ensure vegetation is protected while the work is under way.
The council completed reconstruction of an existing access track in 2017 in preparation for installing the overhead powerline.
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.
