Melville and Fremantle power options
The City of Melville & City of Fremantle power reinforcement options
Residential and commercial growth within the Cities of Melville Fremantle has resulted in a steady increase in the demand for electricity within the region (view map of the area - JPG 2mb). Western Power has identified a need to improve the reliability and security of power supply within the Cities of Melville and Fremantle.
Update August 2011
Western Power announces decision to sell site at 24 Fifth Street, Bicton
Western Power has decided to sell the block of land located at 24 Fifth Street in Bicton.
The decision to dispose of the Fifth Street site was made by Western Power following its determination that it would be highly unlikely that a substation would ever be established at this location. This determination was made specifically because:
- The Bicton site is not in proximity to the two substations it would be connected to so would require the installation of a long transmission line
- Because of the limited site size (smaller than standard substations), the establishment of a substation at this location would be very costly
- The site is not located centrally to where the majority of the demand is located so would require longer distribution feeders to supply the load area, a less efficient way of transporting electricity
Western Power thanks the active Melville community members for their interest and involvement in the project. Without them we would not have known that the open space meant so much to the Melville community. Despite the decision to dispose of the site being based on technical and cost factors, correspondence with the community helped make the consideration of the Bicton Substation option a priority action for Western Power, despite the deferral of the Cities of Melville and Fremantle network reinforcement project.
From here
Western Power has provided written confirmation to the City of Melville of its first right of refusal for the purchase of the site. The City has indicated to Western Power that they are interested in acquiring the site with the intention to retain it as public open space. Western Power and the City of Melville will shortly commence negotiations regarding the sale of the site. The residential property at 64 Murray Road, owned by Western Power, will also be sold.
As communicated previously, reinforcement of the network within the Melville and Fremantle areas is not required until after 2016. Due the long time horizon we are not actively undertaking options analysis as many variables may change before the preferred option is required to be implemented. When the time comes to recommence the project, the area will be re-assessed to identify viable options.
Update June 2011
Western Power previously identified the need to reinforce the transmission network within the Cities of Melville and Fremantle before 2016 to cater for commercial and residential growth within the area.
After conducting more detailed investigations into the capacity of the existing network and future load requirements, it has been identified that reinforcement works will not be required until after 2016. Because a solution is not required in immediate future, Western Power will be deferring its investigations to determine a preferred solution, as many variables may change within the longer time horizon involved.
As previously stated, when forecasting several years into the future it is difficult to predict and allow for load demand changes that may occur at a later date. In order to best meet the needs of a dynamic network, we must remain open and flexible to such changes.
Staying in touch
As soon as we have more information for you or further opportunities for community involvement, we'll be in touch with the contact group and continue to provide updates on this website. In the interim please feel free to continue project conversations via our blog - www.youhavethepower.com.au.
The previously considered options
Below is a brief description of the five options that were being investigated by us for this project. Note: Fremantle Cemetery had been considered as a possibility for progressing option NPM. Options are not set and Western Power is still open to new options
| Option ID | Option description |
|---|---|
| NOC | Establish a new 132kV substation at O’Connor. |
| DOM |
Establish a new 132kV O'Connor substation opposite the existing 66kV O’Connor substation followed by decommissioning the existing 66kV site. Establish a new 132kV substation at Myaree (at an industrial site) followed by the decommissioning the existing 66kV Myaree substation. |
| BIC | Establish a new substation at 24 Fifth Street, Bicton. |
| OCM |
Establish a new 132kV O'Connor substation opposite the existing 66kV O'Connor substation and on completion, decommissioning the old 66kV site. Convert the existing Myaree substation from 66kV to 132kV. |
| NPM | Establish a new substation in Palmyra. |
Community output
During 2009 and 2010, a lot of community thoughts, ideas and questions were candidly captured from the communities of Melville and Fremantle and presented back to our technical experts for review.
- The community comments session output and questions (PDF 92kb)
- Our response to the community comments session questions (PDF 144kb)
- The community survey findings (PDF 178kb)
Useful links about electromagnetic fields
- The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
- Magnetic and electromagnetic fields from powerlines
- Electromagnetic fields factsheet
- Strategies to reduce exposure
- Understanding electromagnetic fields (See image)
Contact us
For more information about this project, contact us on 13 10 87 (7am-5pm Monday to Friday) or enquiries@westernpower.com.au.
