Stephen Mayne quizzes SPAusnet Board on Undergrounding Power Assets

Audio of the SPAusnet AGM http://www.sp-ausnet.com.au/?id=240240100CA227CEDDCAECC74CA25775A001E97D9

Instructions

1. Click on the link marked AGM webcast
2. Once you have signed in, progress to the Formal Business section – and slide out to 25.38 where you will hear Stephen Mayne ask a question about how SP Ausnet are coping with the urban pressures for undergrounding & for development that is acceptable to local communities. He mentions Brunswick specifically.

The CEO, Nino Ficca acknowledged that there are pressures particularly for Distribution assets to be undergrounded (he said they do it in some areas) but that Transmission assets are not b/c of the cost and the technology.

He said the BTS development had been spearheaded by Citipower and AEMA to enhance security for the CBD network. Ultimately any redevelopment has to be done on an efficient basis and signed off by the Australian Energy Regulator.

He was disappointed their planning application was not approved but stated that ‘we are in consultation with the local residents trying to understand their position’ so that they can move forward but that any development will be subject to regulatory approval.

Merri Creek in flood