Underground Power Program (UPP)
The Underground Power Program (UPP) is a State Government initiative administered by the Office of Energy. Local Councils can nominate areas to be converted to underground power. Each nomination is assessed against social, economic and technical criteria by the UPP Steering Committee.
Contact your Local Council to find out if your area is being nominated for underground power.
For more information visit the project history section.
New Round 5 Projects
In October 2009, the Office of Energy invited Councils to apply for funding for Round 5 Major Residential Projects to continue the Program.
89 applications were received and after being evaluated on their reliability and feasibility, 18 areas were pre-selected and the property owners in those areas were surveyed to determine if they were prepared to support a project in their area.
Community support is essential for these Underground Power Projects to proceed. In December 2010 the Minister for Energy announced the ten areas that will form Round 5 of the program. These areas are:
- Ardross West (City of Melville)
- Ashfield (Town of Bassendean)
- Coolbellup East (City of Cockburn)
- Coolbinia (City of Stirling)
- Hamilton Hill (City of Cockburn)
- Lathlain North (Town of Victoria Park)
- Lathlain South (Town of Victoria Park)
- Salter Point (City of South Perth)
- Shoalwater (City of Rockingham)
- Wilson East (City of Canning)
The first of these will commence construction in the third quarter of 2011 and will take the Program through to 2014.
For further information regarding Round 5 please contact your Local Council, Office of Energy or Western Power.
Costs
The cost of each major residential project is shared between the State Government (25%), Western Power (25%) and the Local Councils (50%). Local Councils usually raise their portion through a ratepayers' levy.
The funding for localised enhancement projects differs from major residential projects. For further information please contact the Office of Energy.
New, brighter, safer, streetlights
A new street lighting system designed to Australian Standard is installed as part of the project. There are around 10% more lights, they are more closely spaced and generally alternated from one side of the road to the other. The steel poles used are collapsible to reduce damage and injuries if they are hit by vehicles.
