Monday, July 12, 2010

Bury Merri Creek cables push by Moreland

The following article features in this weeks Moreland Leader. The original call was made by Darebin Council. If you've got a few minutes then click through to the Leader article and leave your comments on why the cables should be buried.
MORELAND Council has backed a call to bury high-voltage powerlines along Merri Creek.
Mayor Stella Kariofyllidis said she would ask her fellow councillors to pass a motion at this Wednesday’s council meeting calling on the State Government to put the “ugly” powerlines, which run between Thomastown and the Brunswick Terminal Station, underground.
Would you like to see the power lines burried? Write below.
“In this day and age in Australia we should not have to endure such environmental eyesores that may even have adverse health effects,” she said.
It comes after a similar motion last month by Darebin councillors. SP AusNet said it would consider such a proposal.
The push is timely given the company is discussing changes to the station, in King St, where the above-ground lines terminate.
Moreland Council last month blocked SP AusNet’s bid to build 12 extra steel towers at the station.
Merri Creek Management Committee manager Luisa Macmillan supported the councils’ position.
“The powerlines along the creek are a major visual intrusion and constrain what vegetation we can grow (due to fire hazard),” Ms Macmillan said.
She said a 40m buffer zone prevented trees being planted near high-voltage powerlines.
“The powerlines are underground between Brunswick and Richmond and that’s much less restrictive for planting,” Ms Macmillan said.
Meanwhile, SP AusNet spokeswoman Natasha Whalley said CitiPower, SP AusNet and the Australian Energy Market Operator are “working collectively on design options for the Brunswick Terminal Station, which are intended to be workable solutions for all parties, including residents”.

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