- Hilton and Hamilton Hill underground power project complete
- 319 poles removed and 289 LED streetlights installed
- Over 65 per cent of the Perth metropolitan area has underground power
Energy Minister Bill Johnston today announced the completion of an underground power project in Hilton and Hamilton Hill delivered under Western Power’s Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot (NRUPP).
Residents in parts of Hilton and Hamilton Hill will now enjoy transformed streetscapes and improved safety and reliability with the completion of this work.
The project is the second NRUPP to be completed following the undergrounding of Eden Hill in December 2022. A further seven projects are in progress.
This latest project removed 11.5 kilometres of overhead cable and319 poles, and installed 289 LED streetlights and 1084 new mains connections in Hilton and Hamilton Hill.
Western Power worked with the City of Fremantle and City of Cockburn to deliver the project which will reduce maintenance and operational costs forresidents of the areas.
The City of Fremantle has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Western Power to progress a new underground power project in South Fremantle.
Undergrounding project areas are identified based on Western Power’s network driven approach to replace ageing overhead assets with underground power. The cost is shared between the State Government, local governments and property owners.
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
“Underground power delivers improved public safetyand street appearance with less poles and wires, and more efficient LED street lighting in neighbourhoods.
“It also improves network reliability, with fewer disruptions and unplanned power outages.
“Undergrounding increases capacity for emerging clean energy technologies, which will help deliver the Western Australian Government’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
“I’m so pleased this undergrounding work has been completed in Hilton and Hamilton Hill. Underground power brings so many benefits to the community – it improves the aesthetics of the streetscape and reduces operational and maintenance costs for residents.
“I’m already hearing very positive feedback from residents who are noticing an increase in native bird species feeding and roosting in the area, particularly the red-tailed cockatoos.”
