FAQs

The three areas still to be undergrounded are known as Nedlands North, Nedlands West and Hollywood East.  A map of each area can be found online at www.nedlands.wa.gov.au/city-services/city-projects/underground-power.aspx.  All premises within these areas will need to pay a contribution towards the undergrounding of power, if the project proceeds.  

If you do not have access to the online maps, please contact Sally De Freitas at the City of Nedlands on 9273 3500.  Maps will also be available at the Community Information Session on Wednesday 7th June.

In a business case developed for the project, benefits identified for the affected areas included increased property values, improved reliability of electricity supply, improved energy efficient street lighting and improved visual amenity. 

Benefits to the wider community include improved reliability of power supply during severe weather events, improved visual amenity, improved health and safety (reduced electrical contact injuries, reduced power pole collisions, improved lighting) and reduced environmental impact (reduced herbicides and pesticides around wooden poles).   

Further information on the benefits of Underground Power can be found in the business case.

You can also refer to Western Power's website www.westernpower.com.au/faqs/underground-power/underground-power/how-will-underground-power-benefit-me/ 

The business case identified significant costs that the City and affected residents will need to pay.  Recent estimates suggest that the total cost of the project may be around $29m.  The cost to the City and its ratepayers will be approximately $19m, with Western Power contributing approximately $10m.  

As part of the City’s Underground Power Policy, the City’s overall funds would contribute 50% of the City’s proportion of costs (approximately $9.5m) and ratepayers in the affected areas would contribute the other 50%.  The City’s contribution would ultimately come from the rates of all ratepayers, but in the interim, the City will potentially need to borrow money.  This would accrue interest and could impact on the City’s future borrowing capacity or its ability to secure future funding and loans.

The impacts of the City portion of funding include opportunity cost (less money would be available to fund other projects within the City, including new projects and maintaining existing assets) as well as additional personal cost to affected ratepayers via an increased charge on their council rates.

More information regarding the costs can be found in the business case.

Council is expected to vote on the underground power rollout by August 2023.  If passed, it is proposed for works to commence in 2024.  It is expected to take a number of years to fully roll out and complete the process.

As the rollout of underground power continues across the Perth Metropolitan Area, different funding models are in place.  This project will fall under Western Power’s Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUP) funding model, which are generally funded directly by the Local Government Areas (local Councils) and property owners, with a contribution from Western Power.

More detail on the funding models can be found on the Western Power website: www.westernpower.com.au/community/work-in-your-area/underground-power/ 

High voltage transmission lines will not be undergrounded.  This includes, for example, transmission lines along the following streets: 

• Brockway Road and Selby Street (Nedlands North)
• Monash Avenue (Hollywood East)
• Camelia Avenue, Lantana Avenue and Adderley Street (Nedlands West). 

Yes, you still need to pay for the undergrounding of power in your area.  You will still receive the benefits of underground power, such as improved power reliability, better lighting, improved streetscape, and fewer street poles and overhead wires.  If you live in one of these streets, you may be offered a discount.

If you already have a ‘green dome’, you will not need to pay the full amount.  You will still need to pay an amount to contribute towards the undergrounding of existing overhead powerlines.  The financial modelling has not yet determined how much this portion will be.

You will not need to pay the full amount, as you will not need to pay the connection fee.  You will still need to pay an amount to contribute towards the undergrounding of existing overhead powerlines.  The financial modelling has not yet determined how much this portion will be.

Yes, if the decision is made to underground the power in the remaining areas, all ratepayers in the affected areas will have to make the required payment.  You will be able to choose whether you make your payment in one instalment or over a number of years.

Any remaining amount of money owing would be payable to the Council on settlement of the property sale (as with any other outstanding Council rates).

All ratepayers in the affected areas would need to pay.  While detailed financial modelling will only be completed if the project goes ahead, it is expected that the average amount payable for each property will be around $5,000 to $7,000.  It is likely that business properties may need to pay more while units in multi-unit developments (e.g. apartments) may pay less.   Concession discounts may also apply.

Each ratepayer will have the option to pay the full amount in one payment or spread over four years.  If the project goes ahead and you are concerned about your ability to pay, we recommend you contact the Council at that time.

It is anticipated that, at some stage in the future, Western Power may replace all areas with underground power.  However, how this might happen is unclear, in regards to both timing and how much the Council might have to pay.