Image: Barossa
One of the Barossa’s most recognisable stretches of road is set to be protected for generations to come, with millions committed to moving powerlines underground along Seppeltsfield’s famous Avenue of Palms.
More than 2,000 Canary Island date palms line the five-kilometre stretch of Seppeltsfield Road, creating one of South Australia’s most distinctive drives.
But as the trees continue to grow, SA Power Networks has warned they will increasingly encroach on existing overhead electricity lines, leaving a future choice between modifying the trees or relocating the infrastructure.
A solution is now progressing, with $2.3 million committed to cover Light Regional Council’s share of a project estimated to cost up to $7 million.
The funding clears a major hurdle for moving the overhead cables underground, allowing the palms to continue growing without extensive pruning or removal.
The remaining two-thirds of the project cost can be funded through the Power Line Environment Committee’s undergrounding contingency.
The palms have been part of the Seppeltsfield landscape for close to a century, with trees planted by winery workers during the Great Depression.
Heritage records show avenues of palms connecting the historic Seppeltsfield Estate and family mausoleum were planted in 1929 and 1932. Today, more than 2,000 palms extend along Seppeltsfield Road and have become a defining image of the western Barossa.
The avenue is also one of the region’s most photographed drives, leading visitors through vineyards and historic buildings towards Seppeltsfield Estate.
Energy and Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis said, “The iconic Canary Island Date Palms were first planted by Seppeltsfield workers during the Great Depression, and today more than 2000 heritage-listed palms now line the sides of Seppeltsfield Road, making it an iconic drive and an enduring symbol of South Australia to the world.
“When SA Power Networks first flagged that the palms will eventually encroach on the overhead power lines, we made it clear there was no way the State Government would allow that to happen.”
Light Regional Council had already contributed to design work and the ongoing maintenance of the palms but advised it could not fund its usual one-third contribution towards undergrounding.
The Power Line Environment Committee has since voted in favour of the undergrounding project.
“The council has reiterated it is not in a position to make a financial contribution to undergrounding the overhead cables,” said Koutsantonis.
“That is why we have now provided funding to ensure the uncertainty over the palms’ future can be resolved.
“We have been very clear that we intend to preserve this important part of South Australia’s heritage, and the provision of $2.3 million in additional funding will be the circuit breaker that gets this process moving.”
It isn’t the first time powerlines around Seppeltsfield have been placed underground to protect the landscape. An earlier Power Line Environment Committee project on Peter Seppelt Road was approved specifically so heritage-listed palms could grow without interference from overhead lines.
Once completed, the latest project will remove the conflict between electricity infrastructure and the trees along one of the Barossa’s most recognisable tourism routes.
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