Residents in Ardeer are unhappy about the installation of a new 66kV line through the area and demanding that it go underground. Powercor has refused, saying that it is too costly. 
 
Seventy  residents met  at Ridgeway Parade Kindergarten on the 25 May and 80 residents met on 12 July.  Both meetings unanimously demanded that Powercor underground the new high voltage power line planned to go through Ardeer for the Paramount Industrial Estate. Residents have also decided to begin a community campaign.
 
The poles have been installed but works have been halted because a resident has written to the Energy and Water Ombudsman requesting an inquiry. The ombudsman has written back to one resident saying they can take this no further.

 Residents are angry that this high voltage power line being built through a residential area for the benefit of industry is a health risk for local children. The 66kV  lines will emit an electromagnetic field of .7uT (according to powercor’s own modelling). Epidemiological studies by the WHO indicate a statistical association between childhood leukaemia and prolonged exposures above 0.4µT.

The ETU is currently holding discussions with the group.
ETU members should email Geraldine on sgfowler@aapt.net.au for more information.