Bassendean North Underground Power Project
Western Power’s Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) is a new program, following on from the State Underground Power Program (SUPP).
Western Power selects areas based on a network driven approach in accordance with the network renewal undergrounding program and makes offers to Local Governments to complete undergrounding in parts of their Local Government, in priority order.
The cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, Local Government and property owners, with the State Government's funding tiered based on socio-economic indicators.
Bassendean North has been selected for the TUPP, with the scheduled start date still to be determined.
Why move to underground power?
The benefits of underground power are well-known, and are summarised on Western Power’s website, as follows:
- Improved public safety – with improved street lighting neighbourhoods are safer, and by removing poles there are less car collisions.
- Improved reliability and security – once the power is underground, you’ll experience fewer disruptions after major storm events, which means fewer power outages.
- Improved street appearance – who doesn’t want to live on a nice-looking street? No power lines create a more aesthetically pleasing neighbourhood.
- Increased property value – the absence of poles and wires and the inclusion of new street lighting has a positive impact on property values.
- Reduction in street tree pruning – no need to worry about trees getting in the way of poles anymore! Property owners and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) also save on maintenance costs, while also allowing the tree canopy to flourish.
- Lower life-cycle costs – underground power has minimal maintenance and operating costs.
- Improved opportunity for emerging technologies – helps pave the way for innovation and caters better to future power demand.
What will this cost me as a property owner in the project area?
The cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, local government and property owners, with the State Government's funding tiered based on socio-economic indicators.
These projects target areas with a high proportion of aging distribution overhead assets that are coming to the end of their service life. Western Power contributes its net benefit (replacement and maintenance costs avoided) with the remainder met by Local Governments (including residents) and in some cases, State Government.
Following execution of a contract with the successful tenderer, Western Power will provide the Town with the final cost for the project.
The Town will need to levy a service charge on property owners to recover the cost of the project.
- For properties that require an underground consumer mains connection, the property owner will be required to contribute to both the Capex component and the Service Connection component.
- For properties with an existing underground consumer mains connection, the property owner will be required to contribute to the Capex component only.
- Details surrounding the service charge are still to be finalised.
- Pensionersmay be eligible for a discount under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992.
- The Town has a Financial Hardship Policyto assist those who may be experiencing financial hardship.
Future Underground Power Projects
The timing of the other TUPP phase 2 projects has not yet been confirmed by Western Power, but the indicative timing is:
- Project 323 – Bassendean East: 2028/29 and 2029/30
- Project 56 – Bassendean West: 2030/31 and 2031/32
Questions?
Visit Western Power’s website for more information on underground power:
Contact Western Power for project-related questions:
Contact the Town of Bassendean for information about Council decisions and costs:
Key dates
This section will be updated soon.
Related documents and links