The City is aware that many people living in the more established suburbs of Cockburn would like to get their overhead powerlines converted to underground power. Due to the significant costs involved in replacing overhead powerlines with underground systems, the City supports State Government initiatives such as the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) that partly fund the cost of the works.
As part of the State Underground Power Program, Western Power will be converting properties in South Lake East to underground power, starting from the second quarter of 2023.
Underground Power replaces overhead power lines with underground power infrastructure in the streets, as well as between the street and each property. New LED streetlights will also be installed as part of this program. This decision follows consultation with South Lake East ratepayers in 2015.
Increased property value - the absence of poles and wires and the inclusion of new street lighting has been shown to increase property values
Improved reliability - moving to an underground electricity distribution system can improve the reliability and quality of power supplies. This includes reducing faults and outages caused by storms, trees, bird life, vandalism, equipment failure and motor vehicle collisions with poles
Improved street appearance - the removal of power lines improves the look and feel of streets and enable the planting of more and bigger street trees
Improved street lighting - Street lighting will be upgraded to energy efficient LED luminaries as part of the project. Better street lighting can help to deter crime and contribute to improvements in road safety
Improved opportunities for emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and caters better to future power demand
Reduction in street tree pruning – no need to worry about trees getting in the way of poles anymore! Property owners and local government also save on maintenance costs, while also allowing the tree canopy to flourish.
A safer public environment - by removing poles there are less car collisions and less likelihood of fallen power lines during storm conditions.
Increase in tree canopy cover - Reduces urban temperatures and therefore energy costs.
The cost of undergrounding power is shared between the State Government, Western Power, the landowner, and the City of Cockburn. The cost will be added to the rates bill for the property starting with your 2023-24 rates bill. You will have up to ten years to pay.
To be eligible for a rebate or deferment as detailed in the Rebates and Deferments Act 1992, an applicant must:
Source: Rebates and Deferments Act 1992
To be classified as a Pensioner, you must meet one of the following:
OR
The costs per property are as follows:
Property ownership |
Total cost |
Annual cost over 10 years |
Ordinary Property |
$4,990 |
$499 |
Seniors Property |
$3,742.50 |
$374.25 |
Pensioners Property (after rebate) |
$2,495 |
$249.50
|
A community information session was held with City and Western Power representatives on Tuesday 7 March at Lakelands Hockey and Sporting facility
This work will occur in zones. Work in the first zone is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023 and the contractor engaged by Western Power will write to you when work will start in your area of South Lake East. It will take about one year to complete this entire area.