Living Under Powerlines

[Crazy Dazz]

Bit of an "out there" post. Anyone got any knowledge or experience of this subject.

For lifestyle reasons (including sheds, cars, dogs, chooks, etc) I have been looking into the possibility of buying an acreage, without moving too far from Perth.

Properties come on the market from time to time, that align with the Marshall Rd HV Power Corridor. Typically the lots follow a similar pattern. They comprise an average suburban building lot at the front, usually around 20m x 35m, and then a huge easement out the back under the powerlines, that may go back another 100m. In some cases, the rear easement is aggregated (ie the adjoining houses only have the front lot)
And as you might imagine, these are very reasonably priced.

Apart from the psychological impact of living in such a place, has anyone had any actually experience of the practicalities and science involved?

I would imagine that the EMR alone can create unique challenges?
Can't imagine FTA TV is much good?
Are those things the Lightning Rods I imagine them to be?

[ESPJG32]

Hi Dazz,

Well I come from an electronics and property background...unusual mix I admit
My comments would be that I personally would not buy a property like that for two reasons.
1. the EME that you would live with daily would be significant and may expose you to future health issues....no one will admit it but you would probably find a flouro tube would just glow from if it was immediately below those lines because of those EME's and certainly a decent coil of copper wire immediately under those power lines would produce an induced voltage in a coil, remember you and your family are going to live with that 24.7....not sure of the voltage these lines are carrying but 132,000 volts would not be unusual and probably more.
2/ From the perspective of future sale of the property you will have a smaller market to sell the property to as a lot of buyers, with money in their pocket, will not accept that sort of impediment without a significant discount on the value of the property and the unknown potential health effects.
At the moment, you have a decision as to where to place your money.....in this location would not be a good investment or health decision in my opinion

[zilo]

I recall that a study was done and the ozone gas released by HV lines was a greater health problem than the EMF's.

Can't quote a source but I remember that Caulfield Grammar in Waverley campus in Melb had a hard time with the PR of it all....20 years ago.

[Itsme]

As I'm aware of their is no proven health risks from emf living in near proximity of HV power lines but being from a electrical trade background there is no way I would like to live near them.
What I do know is if you have a large fire with smoke under them this can create a conductive path and discharge.
Cheers

[PhilT2]

I looked into this years ago as there was HV lines across the grounds of my kids school. There's a heap of research been done on it and no firm evidence was found. There were some studies that found a possible link to childhood leukemia but further studies could not confirm this. No link to adult cancers was found.

[Crazy Dazz]

Yeah I wasn't going to mention the "Cancer Cluster" theories. Seems bad, but no conclusive proof.

I'm more worried about the practical effects. Levels of interference, electronics getting zapped, lights glowing with no power, humming & crackling in damp weather, lightning strikes, etc.

[jstanovic]

If you're talking about the South Ballajura area, I have a mate that lives on Guadalupe Drive, basically backing onto the powerlines (his neighbour has one of the properties you describe).

He moved from somewhere else in Ballajura, no noticeable difference, no issues that he is aware of. The actual houses aren't that close to the powerlines, I've worked at a house in Spearwood where the HV tower was in their front yard!!!!

I would be more concerned living in South Ballajura than any issues from the powerlines haha!!!!

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

I would be more concerned living in South Ballajura than any issues from the powerlines haha!!!!

That's for sure.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

If you're talking about the South Ballajura area, I have a mate that lives on Guadalupe Drive, basically backing onto the powerlines (his neighbour has one of the properties you describe).
I would be more concerned living in South Ballajura than any issues from the powerlines haha!!!!

oh hell no
I was thinking of Bennet Springs.

[jstanovic]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

oh hell no
I was thinking of Bennet Springs.

6 of one, half a dozen of the other haha!

[burnz]

they are noisy as f**k, in damp/wet conditions..

[aussiblue]

All the nearby temples and churches should provide some special divine protection.

[rare ss]

Looks very swampy around that area also.. if we ever get a decent amount of rain again it's pretty low lying through there

[George V]

CD,

Are those things the Lightning Rods I imagine them to be?
- if it has any tall metal / concrete poles or steel towers, then probably yes; also can function as a lighting rod protecting everything around it too.

I wouldn't run any metal fencing too close or parallel to electricity lines.

Regards,
George V

[Electrolyte Burns]

Way back in 1984 I was attending the Glastonbury festival in the UK. There are massive pylons carrying electricity running across the site. I happened to notice that when standing directly under the top middle conductor I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Interestingly standing one foot to the left or right the hairs went down but go again directly under the middle conductor and the feeling came back.