Position Of Power

Newcastle Herald

Friday January 9, 2009

By DONNA SHARPE

ENERGYAUSTRALIA is poised to build a new substation on the former Shortland County Council site in central Maitland as part of a $160 million capital works program for the city.

The company has received consent from Maitland City Council to demolish the building behind Maitland Police Station in St Andrew's Street but is yet to commit to a long-term use for the site.

An EnergyAustralia spokesman confirmed yesterday that the building would be demolished and safety fencing had been erected around the site.

"There have been reports of people accessing the building and it is not fit for occupation," the spokesman said.

The building has been idle for many years and was extensively damaged during the December 1989 earthquake.

"It was always the company's intent to look at other uses for the site," the spokesman said.

"Basically it has aged with no maintenance and we are exploring options for the site's use once the building is demolished."

He said EnergyAustralia was discussing some consent conditions with Maitland council and was looking at future options, which included a possible new regional substation.

He said the existing Central Maitland and Telarah substations were scheduled for decommissioning and a new substation was proposed as part of a capital works plan for 2007 to 2012.

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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