Introduction

The Town of Cambridge has been extremely progressive in implementing underground power to established areas.

The Town was one of four Councils to participate in a pilot program covering the period October 1996 to March 1999. The Pilot Program was designed to trial the installation of underground power. The pilot projects were in Albany, Applecross, Cottesloe and Wembley. The purpose of the trial was to determine the issues faced by all participating parties including residents to assist in planning for a more extensive Underground Power Program for the rest of Western Australia.

The pilot area in the Town was a portion of central Wembley including approximately 1,200 properties. This project was completed in March 1999 and was deemed extremely successful by the property owners involved. Results of a satisfaction survey following the completion of the project indicated a 97% extremely satisfied or satisfied rating from affected property owners. This positive feedback has encouraged the Town to pursue opportunities under the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) to supply underground power to the entire Town. To this end, a five stage strategy has been endorsed as detailed below.

The Town was successful in being selected in Round 2 of the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) for the North Wembley/West Leederville Area. Work commenced on connecting these 1,430 lots to an underground power supply in September 2001 and was completed in November 2002. The project area was extended to include a portion of Cambridge Street from Loftus Street to Northwood Street. These works were finalised in May 2003. A post completion survey was undertaken of the property owners included in the project area with 89% indicating that the project met or exceeded their expectations.

The State Government announced in January 2003 that applications would be received for Round 3 of the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) and called for expressions of interest by 10 March 2003. In accordance with its adopted strategy the Town submitted the City Beach area for consideration. The Town was advised in July 2003 that its proposal for City Beach had been selected for implementation together with 9 other major residential projects for Round 3.  Due to the size of the project works will take approximately 18 months to 2 years to complete.

As a result of City Beach being selected in Round 3 of the SUPP the Town has now been successful in being selected in three of the four underground power programs implemented by the State Government. No local government authority has been selected to participate in all four programs. The Town is continuing to actively pursue its underground power strategy and has been very successful working towards achieving its objectives in this regard.

Underground Power Stages

The staging areas are shown on the map below. In summary, the strategy includes the following stages:-

Click here to view the Underground Power Staging Proposals map

The areas shown in grey on the map already have underground power which, in most cases, was installed at the time of subdivision.

City Beach Project

The project area includes approximately 1,600 lots and covers all of the remaining parts of City Beach with overhead power lines as well as the small section of Mt Claremont included within the Town of Cambridge (approximately 80 lots). The project is bounded by the coast on the western side, Bold Park Drive and Perry Lakes Drive on the east and the Town’s boundaries north and south.

Click here to view to a map with the planned area

The Town responded to the State Governments request for expressions of interest in March 2003. Advice was received in July 2003 that City Beach has been selected for implementation in Round 3 and is one of ten major residential projects approved. The ten approved projects are:-

• Town of Cambridge (City Beach)
• Town of Victoria Park (Victoria Park South)
• Town of Vincent (Highgate East)
• City of Subiaco (Shenton Park)
• City of Nedlands (Nedlands East)
• City of Stirling (Churchlands/Wembley Downs)
• City of South Perth (Como East)
• City of Fremantle (Fremantle)
• City of Gosnells (Gosnells North)
• Town of Port Hedland (Port Hedland)

The State Government received 77 submissions from 21 Councils to be considered as part of Round 3 of the SUPP.

Click here to download a copy of the Town's submission

Click here to download a copy of the Underground Power Survey newsletter

Underground Power Newsletter July 2004

Implementation of the program has been approved by the State Government for Round 3 projects commencing in August 2004.  Due to the size of the project works will take approximately 18 months to 2 years to complete.

The most recent Underground Power Project Newsletter which provides information on the project and outlines the charges and payment options can be downloaded here.

North Wembley / West Leederville Project

Project commenced in September 2001.
Project completed in November 2002.
Cambridge Street extension completed in May 2003.

This project covers the area of North Wembley bounded by Scaddan Street, Herdsman Parade, Powis Street and Lake Monger. It also includes parts of West Leederville within the boundaries of Gregory Street, Lake Monger Drive, Southport Street, Cambridge Street (from Loftus to Northwood Street) and north of Cambridge Street (from Northwood Street to Gregory Street).

Click here to view a map of the area

Within this area there are approximately 1,430 lots.

A survey was issued to property owners within the project area in June 1998 to establish their willingness to participate in the project and pay the prescribed charges. The survey resulted in a 61% response rate with 72% of those responding supporting the project.

At the time the Town submitted the project for Round 1 of the SUPP. Unfortunately, the project was not accepted by the State Government in Round 1. Property owners were advised following the survey, that the project would continue to be put forward by the Town for funding. Based on the strong result of the 1998 survey, the Town resubmitted the area in Round 2 of the SUPP.

The project has subsequently been accepted in Round 2 and work commenced on the project in September 2001.

Work on this project was completed in November 2002 and the Cambridge Street extension from Loftus Street to Northwood Street completed in May 2003.

A post completion survey was undertaken of the property owners included in the project with 89% indicating that the project met or exceeded their expectations.

Wembley Pilot Project

Project completed in March 1999.

State Underground Power Program

This program is based upon a goal of 50% of all power supplies to houses in Perth being underground by the year 2010.

The program is a tripartite arrangement including the State Government, Western Power and the Local Government authority of the project area. The financial arrangements are based on the State Government and Western Power contributing a combined total of 50% with the balance being funded by Local Government. Generally, the Local Government portion is funded by the property owners who received the benefit.

The total cost of Underground Power Projects is now based on an estimated $4,500 per lot. Therefore, property owner contributions are based on an average of $2,250 per lot.

More details of this program can be found on the Office of Energy Website (www.energy.wa.gov.au).

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