South Fremantle Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP)

Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) areas are selected based on a network driven approach, targeting areas with a high density of aging overhead assets.

Western Power will work collaboratively with the City of Fremantle to provide the South Fremantle and City South communities with information on the project as it progresses.

There are 2,425 properties in the South Fremantle and South City TUPP proposed project area.

To check if your property is included in the project scope, view this boundary map here.

Underground power is designed to deliver reliable and safe power, while improving your street appearance and opportunities for emerging technologies, and we’re committed to working with you to deliver these benefits.

• Improved public safety – with improved street lighting neighbourhoods are safer, and removing poles may result in fewer car collisions.
• Improved reliability and security – once the power is underground, you’ll experience fewer disruptions after major storm events, which means reduced likelihood of unplanned power outages.
• Improved street appearance – 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 – Property owners and Local Government 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 is the project owner. They have advised that the current electricity infrastructure is ageing and instead of replacing the overhead poles and wires, the City of Fremantle is taking the opportunity of the options of reduced costs and ability to futureproof the area by moving the power underground.

January 2025 – March 2025

• Tender for design process

March 2025 – March 2026

Design process commences. Includes 4 stages to be carried out over 12 months

• Stage 1 – Design contractor identifies pillar locations and prime equipment sites
• Stage 2 – Ground penetration reports and testing carried out. Street light design progressed, and sites verified.
• Stage 3 – Technical design completed
• Stage 4 – Construability review and design check. Property connection list confirmed.

Late 2026 – Final cost estimate confirmed (+/-10%)

Late 2026 – early 2027 – Construction tender

Mid 2027 – Construction commences

Mid 2030 – Constriction complete

As at January 2025 the total est. cost of the project is $53.8m (+/- 30%)

On average, this equates to a cost of approximately $24,000 per property to complete the project.

However Western Power is substantially subsidising the project by contributing $42.8m (80% of the total project cost), meaning there will be a significantly reduced per property cost for residents.

The City of Fremantle will collect the resident contribution via a service charge as part of annual rates notices over a 7-year period.

Two service charges include:

• Transmission infrastructure service charge
• Property connection service charge

This relates to upgrades to the broader network distribution infrastructure and power supply. This charge will apply to all properties, as it is an upgrade to the broader network that everybody utilises.

The amount an individual property is to be charged is calculated based on the average KvA usage of that property type as determined by Western Power. The average KvA usage rates for property types as provided by Western Power are as follows:

• Single residential – 7.7 (1345 properties)
• Multi Dwelling (2-4 Units) – 6.2 (401 properties)
• Multi Dwelling (5-10 Units) – 4.4 (170 properties)
• Multi Dwelling (10+ Units) – 4 (337 properties)

Charges for each property are calculated using a multiplier/factor based on the KvA for that property type and the cost of transmission infrastructure upgrades that needs to be collected for the project. The multiplier results in a spread of cost commensurate with the KvA of each property. This means property types with a lower average KvA will be charged less than property types with a higher average KvA.

Estimated costs for the infrastructure transmission charge will range from $1,532 for a small unit in an apartment complex ($219 per year for 7 years) through to $2950 for a single residential dwelling ($422 per year for 7 years).

This charge will apply to properties that are currently connected via the overhead system (poles and wires) and will require their property to be connected to the new underground supply. Properties that already have an underground connection (green dome) and do not require any works to connect to the new underground supply will not be required to pay this service charge. It is currently estimated that approximately 30% of properties in the project area are already connected to underground power and will not be required to pay the property connection service charge.

This charge is calculated by dividing the total cost of this part of the project (est. to be around $5.2m) by the number of properties in the project area that require a connection.

Estimate costs for the property connection service charge are currently estimated to be $4287 per property ($612 per year over 7 years).

Property Connection Service Charge for commercial properties

Similar to the residential category, this charge will apply to commercial properties that are currently connected via the overhead system (poles and wires) and will require their property to be connected to the new underground supply. Properties that already have an underground connection and do not require any works to connect to the new underground supply will not be required to pay this service charge. Estimated costs for the property connection service charge are currently estimated to be $4287 per property ($612 per year over 7 years).

Transmission Infrastructure Service Charge for commercial properties

This relates to upgrades to the broader network distribution infrastructure and power supply. This charge will apply to all commercial properties, as it is an upgrade to the broader network that everybody utilises.

The amount an individual commercial property is to be charged is calculated based on the average KVA usage of that property type as determined by Western Power, as well the GRV range they fall within. The average KvA usage rates for commercial property types fluctuate widely. Western Power typically enables demand of up to 180KvA for small commercial and between 180-1000 KvA for medium commercial. We have developed an average KvA figure for each GRV range based on the types of commercial properties that exist within those GRV ranges (within the project area). The GRV groupings and KvA are as follows:

• GRV under $100K – Average KvA of 115
• GRV $100K – $1 million – Average KVA of 200
• GRV over $1 million – Average KvA of 250

Based on this the transmission infrastructure charge for commercial property ranges from approximately $5,900 for a smaller commercial property within the under-$100K category, through to $11,799 for a larger commercial property in the $1m+ category.

In 2020, Hilton was one of four Perth suburbs identified by Western Power to participate in a Network Renewal Underground Program Pilot (NRUPP).

This program was driven by Western Power and focussed on areas with a high density of ageing overhead poles and wires.

Construction occurred between February 2022 and June 2023.

Under the co-funding agreement between Western Power and the City of Fremantle, Western Power funded all of the new mains infrastructure and the City funded the connection to the mains for the 470 properties in the project area.

Western Power provided approximately $10.4million to fund the majority of the works and the City contributed approximately $1.2million.

The City’s contribution is being recovered through a service charge levied on properties that received a new underground connection, paid interest-free over a period of seven years.

The connection cost per property is around $2,500, which is about $357 per year.

The City’s total cost for the Hilton project was much less than it is for the South Fremantle project.

The current projects selected for the Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) are due to its ageing overhead infrastructure.

Western Power is continually renewing and upgrading the distribution overhead network when assets are coming to the end of their service life to provide beneficial outcomes for the community.

Traditionally, the work involves like-for-like replacement of these assets, this program enables Western Power to convert the overhead network to underground as part of the asset replacement.

Local governments can approach Western Power to underground other areas in their jurisdiction that are not part of this current project.

This would be considered on a case-by-case basis by Western Power.

If the project is initiated by the Local Government (such as a RUP project), the cost to the Local Government would be higher than if it was a project initiated by Western Power.

This is because the infrastructure is generally not nearing the end of its useful life when compared to other areas and therefore has not been identified by Western Power as needing replacement in the short term, so the contribution from Western Power would be less.

Western Power will develop a design that adheres to current standards, and considers technical, financial, environmental and social impacts including any obstructions and other underground infrastructure.

This means that the location of the underground cable may be on same side of the road as the current powerlines but may not be if placing the cable on the other side delivers an outcome that, on balance, is better from a technical, financial, environmental and social perspective.

Transmission lines are used to carry bulk electricity at high voltages from power stations to major substations, where power is transformed for distribution at low voltage to customers.

Transmission lines run along South Street and South Terrace in this project area.

Western Power doesn’t underground transmission lines as part of underground projects because of the high cost of installing an underground transmission network.

Typically, the establishment of a transmission line as an underground cable will cost five to ten times that of the overhead line option.

Yes, even though you already have a property connection, the transmission infrastructure charge will apply to all properties within the project boundary, as it is an upgrade to the broader network that everybody utilises. For more information, please refer to the “What is the Transmission Infrastructure Service Charge?” FAQ on this page.

To stay up-to-date with the project, property owners are encouraged to view the City’s website and social media accounts or contact INFRACOMP@fremantle.wa.gov.au to subscribe to regular updates.

Pensioners:

Eligible Pensioners will receive a rebate on the underground power service fee, and this will be reflected on the rates notice when issued. The State Government offer rebates of up to 50% of the current years rates and charges, emergency services levy and underground power charges. This is capped at a maximum amount each year which is determined by the State Government.  The capped amount for 2024/25 is $750.

Pensioners may defer payment of their rates and charges, including the underground power service fee.  Eligibility to defer is where a card holder is entitled to a full rebate.

Seniors:

Senior Card holders are entitled to receive a rebate of up to 25%, capped at $100 on the underground power service in the first year of the project only.   This is under the provisions of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992.

No further rebates can be applied for the remaining years of the project unless that owner becomes a Pensioner or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holder.