Notification of works
Eyre Peninsula desalination plant electricity construction and connection
May – December 2025
What we’re doing
We will be undertaking work to connect the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant to the electricity distribution network from Port Lincoln City substation. These works will include installing new underground cables from the substation on Sleaford Terrace to the intersection of Stamford Terrace and Windsor Avenue via Tennant Street and Verran Terrace, and new overhead powerlines from the intersection of Stamford Terrace and Windsor Avenue to the desalination plant via Greyhound Road.
There will also be a short section of new underground cable installed along St Andrews Drive from the boat ramp to the first intersection (private road) where the overhead network starts/ finishes, close to the entrance of the SA Water Wastewater Treatment Plant (near the SA Water gates).
For more detailed information about the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant project
- Visit SA Water’s website or go via this link: https://bit.ly/Eyre_Desal
- Call the project hotline: 0477 448 544
- Email: epdesal@sawater.com.au
- Drop by the project office: 50 Liverpool Street Port Lincoln
How this affects you
St Andrews Drive area
M&M Civil will undertake the civil works along St Andrews Drive from Monday 5 May to Friday 30 May starting near the corner boundary of the entrance to the SA Water Wastewater Treatment Plant, then up to the entrance of the Port Lincoln boat ramp car park.
These works include trenching for a new underground cable and laying foundations for four new Stobie poles, two located south of the boat ramp entrance and two located south of the SA Water Wastewater Treatment Plant.
These works are scheduled Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm. Traffic safety management measures may cause short delays for those accessing the Port Lincoln boat ramp car park, however we expect to maintain access to the Council facilities throughout this work. Please plan your travel accordingly during this period. We will not be obstructing access to the businesses who share the private road near the SA Water Wastewater Treatment Plant gate.
Indicative map of electrical construction works in the area of St Andrews Drive in Port Lincoln to support the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant.
Port Lincoln substation to Windsor Avenue
Equipped Civil is also undertaking work on our behalf from Monday 12 May with expected completion in August 2025. This work will start from the Port Lincoln substation on Sleaford Terrace and progress along Tennant Street, Verran Terrace, and onto Windsor Avenue up to number 40.
While most of the work will occur daily between 7am and 5pm, we may need to construct across main intersections at night. Should this be necessary, we will advise all property owners in the near vicinity and update this web page. We will send SMS or emails in advance to any subscribed customers directly impacted by any night work providing more detail.
The works will include trenching for the new underground cable. We expect our contractors will be on each street for up to three to four weeks at a time.
Stobie pole footings from the intersection of Stamford Terrace and Windsor Avenue and along Greyhound Road will be constructed from Monday 9 June until the end of September. This work is not in residential or commercial areas on main roads and will not impact property owners or commuters.
Indicative map of electrical construction works in the area from the Port Lincoln substation on Sleaford Terrace, progressing along Tennant Street, Verran Terrace, and onto Windsor Avenue to support the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant.
From August, our powerline crews will install the new Stobie poles, underground cables and overheard powerlines. We anticipate project completion by December 2025.
Work hours and dates may change due to weather, ground conditions, or the location of other underground services.
We will reinstate road surfaces as soon as practical following completion of our work.
Construction impacts
There will be noise, vibration, flashing lights, flood lights if working at night, and dust associated with this work from excavation equipment, and other heavy machinery and vehicles. Our crews and contractors will minimise impacts as much as possible, however we apologise for any inconvenience.
During the times our crews and contractors are on site, there will be periodic disruptions to driveway access for both residential and commercial properties. We will discuss impacts with those affected in advance to minimise any disruption, and to ensure streets are kept clear of vehicles when relevant so we have clear access to our work site and to avoid potential damage.
Traffic management will be in place during the works. This will include reduced speed limits, rolling lane closures, and potential detours. We will use digital signs to keep road users informed.
Power outages
As the new high voltage supply to the desalination plant is a dedicated supply to that facility, there will be minimal impact.
Some customers may experience one power outage close to the final stage of our work. We will contact customers directly if affected.
We typically send SMS/emails to subscribed customers affected by power outages two weeks in advance, at which time the outage map will also be published on our website. We post cards to non-subscribed customers however there may be delays with the postal service.
If you do not already receive free notifications about your power, you can sign up for updates via our website, or call us on 13 12 61 for assistance. You need the National Meter Identifier (NMI) from your electricity bill to subscribe.
Further information
We appreciate your patience throughout this work, and your respect for our crews and contractors.
If you have any questions about our work constructing the new high voltage powerline, please contact Kyron on 08 7326 2924, or email us at CustomerCommunication@sapowernetworks.com.au