Sundowner residents take action to secure vulnerable substations
Community initiative and private partnerships reinforce local electrical infrastructure following severe power disruptions.
ollowing an eight-day power outage in parts of Sundowner, residents secured two vulnerable City Power substations in the area.
The substation on Moepel Street and Aries Avenue has now been secured, following a collaborative effort involving residents, the Sundowner Community Association (SCA), local businesses, security services, City Power and Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp.
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The prolonged outage highlighted just how important these facilities are to the community and the need to protect them against vandalism and criminal activity.
At the Moepel Street substation, Belinda Orsbon from Aquo Water installed and painted palisade fencing, providing an important additional physical security barrier. SB Security also stepped up by supplying and installing alarm systems at the substations.
The alarms of the substations are connected directly to the SB Security control room, with SB Security generously offering a free reaction service.
Sundowner Community Association spokesperson Jamie Hendry said the area endured about eight days without power.
“A lot of that power has been fed through this substation,” Hendry said. “So, the committee got involved, and we’ve cleaned the landscaping because it was completely overgrown. It has got to a stage where communities have to start looking after themselves, and it’s not good.”
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Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp assisted with the necessary paperwork and approvals from City Power, helping to clear the way for the security work to proceed.
Steenkamp applauded the partnerships and encouraged other communities to adopt substations.
“This is a great example of the community, private organisation, and council coming together to protect our infrastructure from criminals. I urge communities to look after their infrastructure and secure where they can.”
The completion of the Moepel Street and Aries Avenue substation security work is a positive example of what can be achieved when residents, businesses, security companies and local government work together.
SCA and stakeholders now hope that these additional security measures will help protect the substations, reduce the risk of vandalism and prevent residents from having to endure another prolonged power interruption.
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