Cable thefts keep Ballarat Rd streetlights off, authorities seem to have no answers

Copper cable thieves continue to outwit road authorities, who are struggling to keep the lights on along one of Geelong’s major arterial roads.

Streetlights on Ballarat Rd have been repeatedly targeted by copper thieves. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Copper cable thieves continue to outwit road authorities, who are struggling to keep the lights on along one of Geelong’s major arterial roads.

Now councillor Eddy Kontelj has taken up the fight on the issue, first revealed in the Addy in April.

Streetlights along stretches of Ballarat and Anakie roads, nearby the Ring Road on ramps, have not been operational for more that a year as brazen thieves routinely steal vital copper cabling.

It’s understood continued thefts have taken place despite surveillance of the area.

The Geelong Crime Investigation Unit confirmed a number of street light cables had been stolen in the past 12 months.

Elected officials have grown increasingly vocal and Mr Kontelj, who represents the Hamlyn Heights ward, this week vented his frustration over the lack of action.

“Enough is enough,” he said.

Mr Kontelj described the situation as an “emergency” that required immediate action.

“These are major Geelong arterial roads and they are used by thousands of drivers every day, including heavy traffic and transport,” he said.

“However, with some 279 lost lives in Victoria in 2024 due to road accidents, and no apparent interest demonstrated by VicRoads or the state government to resolve this known matter in over a year, you could be accused of literally being asleep at the wheel.”

Mr Kontelj shared correspondence from the Department of Transport and Planning, which indicated cables had been stolen shortly after being replaced.

Authorities, including the state government, police and City Hall appear to be struggling to curb the issue.

Lara MP Ella George said residents had raised the issue with her, and she had advocated in recent months for it to be rectified.

“When residents have reported specific locations to me, I have passed on this information and asked that the Department of Transport and Planning prioritise fixing these streetlights,” she said.

Ms George said she understood stolen cables had been replaced at some locations and the state government was working with Victoria Police, power authorities, councils and other stakeholders to find a solution to prevent theft on the network.

“I will continue to work with local residents, the minister and her department, to respond to these issues and have affected streetlights rectified,” she said.

A Transport Department spokesman said the body was “continuing to plan” for works to restore the affected streetlights.

He said the theft and vandalism put lives at risk and disabled critical infrastructure.

The thieves are also risking their own lives to secure their loot as copper cables can carry up to 1500 volts of electricity and interfering with them can cause serious injury or death.

Copper cabling has long been a target of crooks, as it is can be sold to scrapyards and repurposed.

Last year, police dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly behind 50 copper heists in Melbourne’s north worth $780,000 – largely from telco infrastructure.

Eleven arrests were made in relation to the heists, which allegedly took place between January and June 2023.

A scrap metal yard in Reservoir. which allegedly received more than $260,000 in stolen copper, was shut down.

The Crime Statistics Agency said earlier this year that cost-of-living pressures were driving thefts up in Victoria.

Anyone who witnesses any theft or vandalism on Victoria’s transport network is urged to contact Victoria Police immediately.

Originally published as Cable thefts keep Ballarat Rd streetlights off, authorities seem to have no answers