| Project number |
Project 343 |
| Detailed design |
Completed |
| construction start date |
First half of 2025 |
| Estimated duration |
Approximately 22 months |
Western Power and the City of Vincent are working together to convert the overhead electricity distribution network in the North Perth / Mt Hawthorn area to underground power.
As part of this project, Western Power is installing new underground cabling, primary equipment (transformers and switchgear) and LED streetlights to replace existing poles and overhead powerlines.
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 22 October 2024, the City's Elected Members authorised the signing of an agreement with Western Power to co-fund the project.
Work is now underway and is due to be complete towards the end of 2026.
Project area
Note: Western Power refers to this as Project 343, please use this reference number if you are contacting them.
Switchgear
Primary equipment site with a switchgear.
Transformer
Primary equipment site with a transformer.
Combination
Primary equipment site with a combination of equipment.
Project area boundaries
There are eight project areas as marked by the pink boundary lines.
Timeline
| ZONE |
ESTIMATED START |
ESTIMATED COMPLETION |
| 1 |
Happening now |
Q2 2026 |
| 2 |
Happening now |
Q2 2026 |
| 3 |
Happening now |
Q3 2026 |
| 4 |
Happening now |
Q3 2026 |
| 5 |
Happening now |
Q3 2026 |
Q1 = Jan-Mar, Q2 = Apr-Jun, Q3 = Jul-Sept, Q4 = Oct-Dec
Work stages
Work is happening now in zones 1 to 5. Work will take place in stages listed below.
A letter is sent to residents in each area advising about works to come.
Further letters are sent ahead of each of the four construction stages. Download a copy of each letter below.
1. Customer mains installation
A contractor will visit your property to install the cable connecting your home (meter box) to the pillar (green dome). This work will take place from the front boundary of your property to your home or building.
Download the letter sent to property owners
2. Street services installation
This involves underground cabling in your street, linking your customer mains to the broader distribution network.
Download the letter sent to property owners
3. Changeover & new meter installation
Property switched from the overhead system to the new underground system and install new meters as needed.
Download the letter sent to property owners
4. Streetlight installation & removal of poles & wires
New streetlights will be installed to meet current Australian standards. The location of some lights will change as a result.
Download the letter sent to property owners
Overhead poles and wires will be removed from your street. When the works inside and outside your property boundary are finished, you’ll receive a final notice.
Download the letter sent to property owners
Completion
A completion notice will be sent as addressed mail from Western Power to the property owner's postal address.
Download the letter sent to property owners
A completion notice from the contractor which will also be placed in the letterbox at the property.
Reinstatement of verges and gardens disturbed during construction
The contractor (MME) aims to complete work and move on as quickly as possible, but some sites may need to stay open for a number of weeks, pending completion of connections.
If you're concerned about how long a site has been impacted by works, please contact MME directly to check the expected completion date and reinstatement schedule.
Please don't carry out reinstatement works yourself.
Reinstatement is the responsibility of MME, and we cannot reimburse residents for any works they choose to do on their own. In some cases, works may need to continue later (for example, removing a power pole or installing a streetlight), so reinstating too early can cause further disruption.
MME will reinstate sites to their original condition once all construction activities in that location are finalised. If you have any questions or concerns about construction impacts, please contact MME by email, or phone 08 9408 0625 during business hours.
For after-hours emergency repairs of damage caused by underground power works please call 0402 675 563.
Reinstatement information
Oxford Street Residents and Businesses - Zone 5
Work will be underway in your area between May and September 2026. We are working with Western Power and their contractor MME to minimise impacts on local businesses and residents. This includes staging work zones, maintaining pedestrian access and managing temporary parking changes.
City of Vincent has shared initial information:
Letter to Oxford Street Residents and Businesses
As work progresses, notices issued by MME will be shared here:
Primary equipment installation
Primary equipment units are an essential component in the delivery of underground power.
They are electrical infrastructure, such as ground mounted transformers and switchgear that enable the distribution of electricity to residents through the underground network.
Where possible, this equipment will be located in parks, public open spaces, road reserves and verges. Every effort has been made to ensure the chosen site locations have the lowest impact on the surrounding area, with landscaping or screening added where possible and the total footprint of the primary equipment kept to a minimum.
Community engagement on the primary equipment sites for this project area was completed in May 2023. Western Power has finalised the network design, with equipment to be placed in the locations shown on the map above.
What is Primary Equipment?
Primary equipment units are an essential component in the delivery of underground power.
They are electrical infrastructure, such as ground mounted transformers and switchgear units that enable the distribution of electricity to residents through the underground network.
This equipment was previously located on overhead poles, and as part of the conversion to underground power it is being moved to locations on the ground, generally in parks and on public verges.
Primary equipment is housed in green metal cabinets. Depending on the site and installation requirements, a retaining wall may also be required.
Each site will have its own unique installation requirements to comply with Western Power’s technical specifications, Australian Standards and for community safety.
Western Power endeavours to minimise the footprint of each primary equipment site and has worked closely with City of Vincent to determine each site location following extensive analysis of the network, technical standards and financial costing, and taking into consideration public safety, heritage, environmental and social impacts.
When will primary equipment be installed for the North Perth/Mt Hawthorn underground power project?
Primary equipment will be installed as part of the construction of underground power. Work will start in early 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
How are the primary equipment sites selected?
The location of primary equipment is dictated by the need for proximity to properties being supplied with power.
Beyond this, the following site selection criteria are applied:
- Where possible, equipment is placed on City owned land (parks, car parks, public open spaces).
- The next choice is the side verge of corner properties, where resident views are minimally impacted, and sight lines from driveways can be maintained.
- Third choice is the front verge of private property, taking into account safety and amenity considerations.
Every effort is made to ensure the chosen site locations have the lowest impact on the surrounding area. If required, landscaping, screening or artwork will be added.
What are the construction impacts of primary equipment sites?
During the primary equipment installation works, there may be some construction impacts such as dust, vibrations and noise.
Noise impacts will be minimised by using equipment that is well maintained and fit for purpose, as well as by scheduling times to have the least impact on residents.
Contractors generally work within regular construction hours. If after hours work is required for public safety reasons or to minimise the outage impact to residents, the contractor will work with the City of Vincent and other relevant authorities to schedule the most appropriate time. Impacted residents will be informed prior to these out of hours works commencing.
To complete the work safely, traffic management may be in place. Please take care around work sites and follow the appropriate signage.
What is involved in the construction of primary equipment sites?
Each primary equipment site is installed according to Western Power’s technical specifications which meet or exceed the Australian Standards to ensure community safety and efficient operation of the equipment.
Although primary equipment sites are not all the same, the steps involved in construction are:
- Construction starts with the site being pegged with survey stakes to show the actual footprint.
- The ground is checked for third party services before being excavated.
- Once the hole has been dug, the soil at the base is levelled and compacted to prepare for a crane to position the equipment.
- The equipment is installed correctly, then the electrical cables are terminated and tested.
- When this is complete the site will be backfilled and compacted.
- The site will have a border installed, or if required a retaining wall, then a layer of blue metal placed around the assets.
Does the primary equipment make any noise once installed?
Primary equipment does emit a slight humming sound as part of normal operation. The noise can be compared to that made by a quietly running fridge.
The locations of primary equipment are selected to comply with the Western Australian Environmental Protection (Noise Regulations) 1997.
More information and feedback
If you have any questions about the location of this primary equipment, please contact us on 9273 6000 or [email protected].
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