Fence design options released for Ballarat East Zone Substation

Three fence designs for the exterior of the new Ballarat East Zone Substation have been unveiled by Powercor, with residents invited to vote on their favourite option.

The architecturally-designed options are based on feedback from the local community and feedback on the shortlisted designs will contribute towards the final façade of the zone substation at 203 York Street, Ballarat East.

Powercor has also announced a list of 10 ideas to share in the $200,000 Community Legacy Fund, created to provide long-lasting benefits to Ballarat East. Like the fence designs, residents will be able to choose their favourite ideas to share in the legacy funding, which includes walking tracks, historic markers, wetlands restoration and sporting projects.

Residents can view and vote on the fence designs and legacy fund ideas online or at two community information sessions this week.

The fence designs follow three themes:

• An open-ended design featuring a mix of perforated and plain panels. The plain panels offer flexibility to either be painted in a solid colour or can be transformed into murals, providing the opportunity to tell the stories of the area, celebrating its history and community through artwork.
• A design featuring a layered effect with a solid-coloured back panel and a flowing, perforated front panel. The front panel will incorporate a design inspired by the rich storytelling traditions of the local Aboriginal community, reflecting their unique cultural heritage. (Please note that the current patterns are for inspiration only. If selected, we will collaborate with the local Indigenous community to create the final fence design, ensuring it authentically reflects their cultural heritage.)
• A multi-panel design with all perforated panels, each showcasing distinct patterns. This option allows for storytelling from multiple perspectives, with panels featuring local flora and fauna, Indigenous designs, and heritage patterns that together celebrate the area’s diverse cultural and natural heritage.

Powercor’s Project Manager Ben Hatfield said community sessions this week were a great chance for residents to cast their votes and learn more about what to expect during the zone substation’s construction phase.

“We are finalising plans for the Ballarat East Zone Substation and are on track to begin building the essential infrastructure later this year,” Mr Hatfield said.

“We are pleased with the final three fencing designs that have been shaped by the local community.

“Our architects have incorporated their feedback into the final options and we are now asking residents to vote on their favourite one.”

“It might be one of these designs that’s selected, or it could be a combination of parts of all three. It’s really up to the people of Ballarat East.”

The community fence design and Community Legacy Fund are just part of a broad package of measures to ensure the Ballarat East community is supported during the delivery of the project. This also includes direct neighbour payments, a community solar fund, additional noise mitigation as well as flooding mitigation and other safety measures.

The community sessions are being held at York Conference Room, Sovereign Park Motor Inn, 223 Main Road, Golden Point, and will provide residents an opportunity to talk with a range of Powercor representatives about the new site, fencing designs and construction phase.

The zone substation is due to be completed by the summer of 2025/26 and will provide reliability and safety benefits to more than 82,000 homes and businesses across the broader region.

To view the fencing designs and community legacy ideas, visit www.engage.powercor.com.au/Ballarateastzss

Community drop-in sessions at York Conference Room, Sovereign Park Motor Inn, 223 Main Road, Golden Point:

• 10 October, 4pm to 6pm.
• 12 October, 10am to 12pm.