Power goes underground in City of South Perth

Two successful overhead-to-underground power transition projects in the City of South Perth will allow more Western Australians to benefit from underground power.

To mark the completion of Western Power’s State Underground Power Program, Energy Minister Bill Johnston attended a last pole ceremony with representatives from the City of South Perth and the state-owned utility.

“Conversion to underground power has many benefits,” Johnston said. “Not only does it beautify the streets; it reduces power outages during storms, lowers maintenance and operating costs, and improves public safety.”

The projects involved the removal of 985 wooden poles and 35 kilometres of overhead cable, as well as the installation of 667 LED streetlights providing improved safety, aesthetics, reliability and environmental outcomes for the community.

South Perth MLA Geoff Baker said, “This is an exciting announcement for the City of South Perth community. Not only are there improved power supply benefits for residents, underground powering helps beautify the streets, with trees being able to grow to their full capacity helping to also increase property values.”

The Collier and Manning projects — jointly funded by the WA Government and City of South Perth — are two of 17 approved as part of round six of the program. Western Power has identified 300 areas with a high density of aging distribution overhead assets across Perth that will benefit from underground power in the next 20 years.

The next Western Power underground power projects to be completed include Kardinya South and Shelley East.

More than 60% of the Perth area now has underground power, with 98 projects now completed, providing improved electricity supply to 94,500 homes and businesses.

For more information, visit https://www.westernpower.com.au/community/work-in-your-area/underground-power.

Image credit: iStock.com/zorazhuang