Western Power has moved Carlisle North’s power from overhead to underground, the first of three suburbs in the Town of Victoria Park to undergo the transition as part of the State Underground Power Program.
The project, which covers 933 properties, involved the removal of 222 wooden poles and conductors, as well as 12km of overhead cable.
Western Power installed more than 20km of cable, eleven ground-mounted transformer and switchgear units and 177 LED streetlights.
Similar projects are underway in Victoria Park East and Victoria Park West, and are due for completion in the coming months.
A further seven underground power programs are in progress in South Perth, Manning, Collier, Maylands Central, Shelley West, South Lake East and Kardinya South.
To date, 93 underground power programs have been completed providing electricity to more than 90,000 Perth homes.
Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said, “The State Underground Power Program provides safe and reliable electricity to local residents, and helps cut operating and maintenance costs for local governments, such as regular tree pruning.
“We are currently working with Western Power and other local governments to plan and develop similar initiatives across the Perth metropolitan areas.
“The McGowan Government is committed to exploring further opportunities for innovation and using emerging technologies, which is enabled through the State Underground Power Program.
“This can support ‘smart city’ strategies, including the growing uptake of electric vehicles and increasing capacity for energy trading.”
Town of Victoria Park Mayor, Karen Vernon, said, “The completion of Carlisle North is the first significant milestone for the State Underground Power Program in the Town of Victoria Park.
“We are furthering our ambitions to provide efficient and reliable power for our residents through the delivery of similar underground power projects in Victoria Park East and West, which will enable us to deliver underground power across the entire local government area.
“We look forward to all of our residents enjoying the many benefits of underground power including verge trees being allowed to grow to their full potential, improving the Town’s urban canopy and making our areas more attractive for residents and visitors alike.”
Victoria Park MLA, Hannah Beazley, said, “Underground power has benefits beyond the provision of safe and reliable electricity.
“It also improves public safety, enhances street aesthetics and can increase property value for homeowners.
“This is an exciting moment for Carlisle residents and we look forward to other suburbs celebrating their transition to underground in the near future.”
