Hilton Underground Power Project

The Hilton Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot was completed in July 2023. It is the product of a Western Power–City of Fremantle partnership to deliver a safer and more reliable power supply.

The removal of unsightly overhead wires greatly enhanced the appearance of Hilton. New light posts and LED street lighting was installed transforming streetscapes and making the area more pedestrian friendly.

How is underground power beneficial?

• 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 on a nice looking street? No power lines create a more aesthetically pleasing neighbourhood.
• Increased property value—the absence of poles and wires and the inclusion of new street lighting has a positive impact on property values.
• Reduction in street tree pruning—no need to worry about trees getting in the way of poles anymore!
• It will 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.

Western Power worked with the City of Fremantle and City of Cockburn to deliver the project which will reduce maintenance and operational costs for residents of the areas.

Frequently asked questions

Who paid for the program?

Western Power will fund all of the new network infrastructure and the new LED streetlights, and the City will fund the connection of residential properties to the network.

The total cost of the project is around $11.3 million. Western Power contributed around $10 million to the project, the City of Fremantle funded $1.3 million.

The City’s contribution will be recovered through a service charge levied on properties affected by the program.

What is the cost per property?

The cost per property depends on the specific work required for that property, as assessed by Western Power. In some instances, there will be no charge as underground connection from the property boundary to the meter panel already exists. Other properties will require either a full connection or more work to connect an existing underground cable to the network.

Properties will be charged according to the fee structure determined for the following categories:

Connection descriptions and costs

NPNC: New pillar, new consumer main ($2,713.35)

A new Western Power pillar is required either on the lot or the adjacent lot.

New underground consumer mains cable is required from the new Western Power pillar to the meter box.

NPEC: New pillar, existing consumer main ($38.56)

A new Western Power pillar is required either on the lot or the adjacent lot.

If the lot has underground consumer mains running from the existing consumer pole/pillar to the meter box.

The consumer mains can be disconnected from the existing consumer pole/pillar and terminated into the new Western Power pillar.

EPNC: Existing pillar, new consumer main ($2,674.79)

If there is an existing Western Power pillar on the adjacent lot.

New underground consumer mains cable is required from the existing Western Power pillar to the meter box.

EPEC: Existing pillar, existing consumer main ($0)

If the lot is currently serviced by an existing Wester Power pillar either on the lot or on the adjacent lot or if the lot already has an existing underground consumer mains cable.

No work is required (excluding lots where the meter pole will be cut and capped).