The City of Stirling has partnered with Western Power to work together towards converting overhead distribution powerlines to underground power, to deliver reliable and safe power, while improving street appearance and opportunities for increased uptake of solar and other technologies.
Underground power offers improved reliability and safety, while increasing power supply capacity, improving property values, street appeal and allowing the tree canopy to flourish.
The underground power project will be carried out in stages. Before each stage commences, residents within the project boundary will receive a notification outlining what will be done and how it may impact you.
The process of transforming a suburb to underground power means that somethings are going down - poles and lines - whilst some new things are going up - primary equipment sites or those large boxes on the side of the road or back of a park. A community forum for the whole suburb called 'Watts Going Down' will help answer people's questions about who is doing what and when.
The cost of undergrounding power is shared between the State Government, Western Power, local government, and property owners, with payment facilitated through the City of Stirling. The City will be responsible for invoicing residents for the installation costs. This cost and partnership model addresses the need to renew ageing electricity infrastructure, while acknowledging the shared benefits of this project.
When is underground power coming to my area?
To find out if your suburb is listed for underground power, please visit Western Power. Please note that Western Power determines the order of these projects based on the age of the assets in that area and therefore the need to underground them.
Note: This is the latest information provided by Western Power and will be updated on a regular basis as new information becomes available (last updated April 2024).
How does underground power work?
The installation of primary equipment is vital in delivering underground power. It includes equipment such as ground-mounted transformers and switchgear units to distribute electricity through the underground network. The equipment is typically housed in green cabinets as shown in the image below.
The location of where primary equipment is installed is assessed based on technical needs, safety, and social impacts. Whenever possible, the equipment is placed in public open spaces, road reserves, and verges.
The below video explains the underground power process.
FAQs
How are the works funded?
The cost of undergrounding power is shared between the State Government, Western Power, local government, and property owners, with payment facilitated through the relevant Local Government Authority.
This cost and partnership model addresses the need to renew ageing electricity infrastructure, while acknowledging the shared benefits of this project.
- Western Power funds part of the network services charge (or network infrastructure costs) to remove power poles, placing overhead distribution cables below ground, and installing new streetlights. Cost is subjected to project area.
- Ratepayers are charged for the remining balance of the network services charge (or network infrastructure costs), plus a connection fee for the underground cable to be joined from your property. The connection point or green dome (pillar) is installed on your property boundary share between your neighbour and joined to your home.
Ratepayers will pay one single consumer mains charge, which is the combined total of the network charge for their area and applicable connection fee for their property.
Will I have a choice between paying a lump sum or instalments?
Yes, the City will allow those who are unable to make a lump sum payment the opportunity to pay in installments over three years.
What are my payment options?
Payment options are outlined in the Notice. If you are unable to meet these options, please contact the City to discuss the matter further.
Payments can be made online or by calling the City on (08) 9205 8555.
Is there a concession on my Underground Power and can I defer the charge?
Ratepayers who are eligible pensioners and seniors will receive a State Government rebate.
Eligibility provisions for any person seeking to register with the City for underground power concessions are:
- Be the owner and occupier of property as of 1 July each year
- Be classified as a Pensioner or Senior.
Pensioner
- You receive the pension and are the holder of a Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card
- Pensioner concessions are entitled up to 50 per cent of the underground power and are subject to the maximum amount.
Senior
- You hold a Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interests and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Senior concessions are entitled up to 25 per cent and are subject to the maximum amount, deferment is not available.
What happens to any outstanding monies owed on my property if I sell my house?
The owner of the property as of the due date of the levy being charged is responsible for full payment of the invoice. Underground power charges are not apportioned between the buyer and seller and the seller is required to pay the balance of charges at settlement.
If you, as the seller, have already paid the lump sum amount there will be no adjustment as part of the property settlement
If you, as the seller, have decided to participate in the instalment option, the City will calculate the remainder of the scheme costs to the end of the term and provide this information to your settlement agent for payment at settlement. You will be responsible for the full costs and they will not be adjusted between you and the buyer.
How is the charge worked out for multi-dwelling properties like flats?
The model considers how many properties are connected to each main meter and then splits that single main meter connection charge between the number of units that are fed from that main meter. For example, if there are 10 units connected to a single main meter then the single connection charge will be divided by 10. If a person owns more than one of those units then they will be required to pay the percentage based on that number, e.g., if they owned 5 out of the 10 then that property owner would have to pay 50% of that single connection charge.
Timeline
Osborne Park
April 2022 – December 2026
Doubleview
April 2022 – December 2025
Scarborough
October 2021 – October 2022
Trigg
February 2020 – March 2021 (round 6)
Menora
February 2019 – February 2020 (round 6)
Coolbinia
July 2013 – January 2015 (round 5)
Churchlands / Wembley
September 2006 – September 2008 (round 3)
Watts Up is Going Down Information Session
We know that when we talk to locals about their priorities for their neighbourhood, underground power is always in the top couple of answers. Undergrounding those poles and wires doesn't just enable more trees to be planted along our streets, but it also better protects that infrastructure from storm damage.
As part of the Western Power program to deliver underground power across the City, we will partner with Western Power to hold a community forum in each underground power project area at the start of each project. These 'Watts Up is Going Down' sessions will help answer some frequently asked questions like:
- Who exactly is delivering the project?
- When will underground power come to my suburb?
- How does the payment work?
- Which agency can answer which questions?
- How will this appear on my rates notice?
Experts from both Western Power and the City of Stirling will attend these community meetings and be able to answer your questions in person.
Types and placement of primary equipment
When moving power lines underground and removing poles, several essential equipment types are used:
- Transformers: These convert higher voltages to a safe level for homes and local businesses.
- High voltage switchgear: It safeguards system integrity and enables efficient maintenance without prolonged outages.
- Low voltage kiosks: These distribute power to multiple premises and facilitate rapid fault recovery.
Residents visually impacted by proposed Primary Equipment sites will be sent a letter.
For any information relating to underground power charges, please contact the City of Stirling at (08) 9205 8555 or email undergroundpower@stirling.wa.gov.au
For any technical queries relating to the Western Power underground infrastructure or its placement, please contact Western Power on 13 10 87.
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