All premises within these areas will need to pay a contribution towards the undergrounding of power if the project proceeds. Western Power will not call for tenders for Hollywood East until late 2026.
Further information about service charges to all ratepayers in our project areas will be released as available.
What is underground power?
Underground power (also known as undergrounding) involves installing new electrical power cables within underground trenches. As a result, all the existing power poles and overhead high voltage electrical cables are removed. Note: this does not include the overhead Transmission Cables.
Explanation of service charge payment options
Ratepayers can elect their preferred method of payment by selecting one of two options, outlined below.
Option 1:
Make one repayment in full in August 2025 as part of your rates notice.
Option 2:
Make five repayments in each year as part of your rates notice, commencing in August 2025.
The five annual instalments option incurs a fixed interest rate of 4.6% per annum (based upon quoted borrowing rates from Western Australian Treasury Corporation who will be supplying part of the funding for the project and may be subject to change) and an administration fee of $64 (each deferred instalment after the initial payment attracts a charge of $18). This is consistent with the instalment options offered on general rates.
Should the ownership of the property change during the instalment term, the balance will need to be paid at settlement.
Irrespective of which option is selected, ratepayers may choose to pay their rates notice via four (4) instalments which includes the UPG levy. When choosing the option to pay by instalments, the administration fee will be applied unless you qualify for a concession.
What if I can't afford to pay?
Each ratepayer will have the option to pay the full amount in one payment or spread over five years. If you are concerned about your ability to pay, please contact the Council to discuss whether you can access the Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.
What benefits are pensioners and seniors eligible for?
Pensioners and seniors with concession cards may be eligible for underground power rebates under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992.
Eligible registered pensioners will be entitled to receive up to 50% rebates on underground power charges and will be entitled to defer these charges if unpaid.
Eligible registered Seniors Card holders who do not hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will be entitled to receive up to 25% rebate on underground power charges to the capped amount for the first year where the initial charge is raised.
Please refer to Q10 'What financial assistance is available?' on the WA Government's Underground Power FAQs page.
To apply for a pensioners or seniors rebate, click here. The link to takes you to the Water Corporation's website because pensioners and seniors' rebates have to be applied for via the Water Corporation.
To access the WA Government's Subsidies Fact Sheet - Pensioners and Seniors Concessions Scheme, click here.
To read the WA Government web page about applying for pensioners or seniors rebates, click here.
What happens if I sell my property before I have paid the full amount of my contribution?
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).
My land is vacant. Do I still need to pay?
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.
My home already has an underground connection, or green dome. Will I still need to pay?
Yes. The underground power service charges applicable to ratepayers has two components:
- The network services charge (or network infrastructure costs); and
- The consumer mains charge.
Customer funding contributions for underground power connections are determined by the City of Nedlands.
Generally, property owners with an existing underground consumer main (green dome) will only be charged for the network services component.
Please contact the City of Nedlands for information on rate payer contributions towards an underground power program in your area.
Can I have a green dome installed early?
If you would like to upgrade your power supply, you will need to contact Western Power on 13 10 87 or submit an application online to increase your power supply.
Any application for an upgrade would be considered separately to the underground power project in your area.
My property is on one of the streets/roads/avenues that will still have above ground high voltage transmission lines. Will I still need to pay?
Yes, you will 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.
The distribution line on a street will be placed underground as part of proposed underground power projects, while the transmission line will remain. These streets will still receive many of the benefits of an underground power network including improved reliability, security, street lighting, visual amenity and increased capacity to facilitate the integration of more renewables.
If you live in one of these streets, you may be offered a discount.
Why don't the transmission lines get 'undergrounded'?
Undergrounding transmission lines comes at a significant cost. The undergrounding of transmission lines in the City is not currently part of the project scope.
What is the difference between transmission lines and distribution lines?
The electricity network that services your property contains both distribution and transmission lines that carry electricity around the grid. Transmission lines carry bulk electricity at high voltages from power stations to major substations. These lines are located on tall poles and are positioned at the top of the pole. Distribution lines carry electricity at lower voltages to properties.
Most streets in the City of Nedlands have only distribution lines, and these will be placed underground as part of proposed underground power projects.
When will underground power be rolled out?
At its 28 May 2024 meeting, Council agreed to proceed with underground power in Nedlands North and Nedlands West. Construction in Nedlands North commenced in August 2024 and is expected to be completed by August 2025. Construction in Nedlands West commenced in March 2025 and is expected to be completed in April 2026.
Subject to Council approval, construction in Hollywood East is likely to commence some time after 2026.
Is a new streetlight system installed?
With every underground power project, Western Power upgrade the street lighting system to meet current Australian standards. This typically includes additional lighting poles and LED light fittings. The position of the new streetlights varies, and is reviewed by Western Power during their design stage. Typically, this equates to an additional 10% more lights being installed because they are positioned more closely and generally alternate from one side of the road to the other. In addition, modern light poles are designed to collapse if they are struck by vehicles, to reduce injuries and property damage.
Where will the new streetlights go?
The positions of new streetlights are determined by Western Power and placed within the road reserve to meet current Australian Standards.
When will the City be getting underground power?
The City of Nedlands is proposing to complete the final stages of the underground power program. This final stage will connect approximately 2000 residences, that remain without underground power in the City, to the program. The three areas still to be undergrounded are known as Nedlands North, Nedlands West and Hollywood East.
Please see Western Power's website with all the key project dates.
Western Power
How much will it cost?
The total project cost for Nedlands East and Nedlands West is currently estimated to be $23.9 million. Of this, 91% of the total project cost is directly attributed to the undergrounding of powerlines.
Western Power will contribute $9.8m and the City of Nedlands is required to contribute about $14.1 million. Under the City's Underground Power Policy, 50 per cent of the City's contribution is recoverable from ratepayers receiving underground power.
What are the benefits of underground power?
Improved public safety – with improved street lighting, neighbourhoods are safer, and by removing poles there are fewer 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 in a more pleasant looking street? With the power lines removed and street trees encouraged to grow, the result is a more aesthetically pleasing neighbourhood.
Increased property value – the absence of poles and wires and the inclusion of new street lighting has shown to provide a positive impact on property values.
Reduction in street tree pruning – there is 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.
More information regarding the benefits can be found via Western Power’s website.
What do I do if my property or verge is damaged?
The contractor (appointed by Western Power) carrying out the project will repair any damage caused by the works. Please report any damage not remedied to the contractor as soon as possible. At the start of the project, you’ll receive information in your mailbox with the contractor’s contact details. All street verges are video-recorded before any work commences as a record. If your verge is damaged, it will be reinstated as close as practicable to its original condition.
What are the financial implications of underground power on the City?
If you have an underground power project in your area it means your Local Government has elected to be part of a program. Local Government has the power under the Local Government Act 1995 to pass on infrastructure related charges onto property owners. The cost of the undergrounding is split between the City of Nedlands, Western Power and the customer.
The City engaged ACIL Allen to prepare a business case which identified significant costs that the City and affected residents will need to pay. At the time of preparing the business case, estimates suggest that the total cost of the project for Nedlands East , Nedlands West and Hollywood may be around $43.5 million. The cost to the City and its ratepayers will be approximately $25.2 million, with Western Power contributing approximately $18.3 million.
As part of the City’s Underground Power Policy, the City’s overall funds would contribute 50% of the City’s proportion of costs 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.
Who can I contact if I have further questions or concerns?
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding Underground Power, please contact the Project Manager – Underground Projects for information.
For cost related questions, please contact our Finance team.
We are here to assist you and address any enquiries you may have. You can submit your queries online (under Request Information, please select Underground Power from the dropdown menu) or reach us by phone at 08 9273 3500.
Your feedback is important to us, and we thank you for your cooperation and support.