Request to come for shift of substation site from within 20cm of house
A family says it is holding off celebrating despite winning support to move a substation — planned to be built next to their home in Pascoe Vale South — to another site. The State Government is looking at other locations but has not ruled out keeping it there.
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A family that was set to have an electrical substation built within 20cm of their bedrooms say they aren’t popping the champagne yet despite winning council support to have the plan blocked.
Public Transport Victoria planned to build the substation at 211 Reynard St, Pascoe Vale South, inches away from Carmel Lochiano’s family home.
After initially blocking an attempt to shift the substation to nearby park Shore Reserve, Moreland Council voted unanimously to demand the site be shifted.
The council still is unprepared to offer Shore Reserve as an alternate site.
The council undertook an independent assessment of the dangers electromagnetic fields (EMF) could cause on the site.
The report found that reducing EMF to acceptable levels would be unlikely given the closeness to the house.
Department of Transport spokeswoman Georgia Main said while the department still believed the substation wouldn’t be dangerous, it was now exploring alternative locations.
The department could no categorically rule out still using the Reynard St site for the substation.
“Throughout the process we have been confident that the planned substation poses no risk to the health or wellbeing of the neighbouring residents,” she said.
“If a more suitable alternative site is identified, we will pursue it.”
Ms Lochiano said that while her family wouldn’t be comfortable until another site was locked in, she thanked the council for listening to her concerns and ordering the report.
“It took a bit of heartache and a lot of work to get to this stage,” she said.
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“It’s not over yet but I’m sure it’s not going to be next door to us and that’s the main thing.”
The substation will need to be located a short distance from the Route 58 tram line so it can add power for larger trams in Pascoe Vale.
Cr Sue Bolton said that while she wished the council had acted earlier in its demand she was pleased it had stood up for residents.
“PTV should never have considered this site to begin with,” she said.
“I would like to congratulate the residents for jumping up and down and making a big noise.
“What you’ve shown is that you shouldn’t just accept bad things happening to you, you absolutely have to make a massive noise and force those in authority to take things seriously.”