Underground power milestone for City of Canning

  • Shelley East $8.15 million underground power project complete
  • Around 800 homes and businesses in the City of Canning to benefit
  • Project involved removal of 234 poles and installation of new LED streetlights

Perth’s expanding underground-powered network continues to benefit more residents and businesses following the completion of an $8.15 million project in the City of Canning’s Shelley East precinct.

Under the Government’s Retrospective Underground Program, the City of Canning joined forces with Western Power to ensure more Shelley ratepayers benefitted from enhanced streetscape aesthetics, reduced maintenance costs, improved power reliability and community safety.

The Shelley East project delivers underground power, via 17 kilometres of electrical cables, to 814 customers and involved the removal of 234 poles and the installation of 203 streetlights.

Following the completion of the Shelley West underground project in 2021, the City committed to underground Shelly East including services such as streetlighting and property connections.

The City of Canning and the Town of Victoria Park have portions of St James, Bentley, and East Victoria Park suburbs under construction through Western Power’s Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot. This targets areas with a high density of ageing overhead assets and is due for completion later this year.

For more information, visit https://www.westernpower.com.au/community/work-in-your-area/underground-power

As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:

“Western Power continues to work with local government areas to convert overhead powerlines to underground connectivity throughout the network where possible.

“We know underground power provides many benefits: from improved power reliability and better streetscapes to a safer environment with brighter LED streetlights improving visibility.

“Importantly, it’s an essential part of preparing the network for electrification and greater integration of renewable energy.

“It caters better for future power demand and provides enhanced capacity for increasing the uptake of rooftop solar and other emerging technologies, such as electric vehicles.

As stated by Riverton MLA Dr Jagadish Krishnan

“I’m thrilled to see the last overhead power pole removed from Shelley East, a significant milestone for the residents here.

“This highlights the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to improving the reliability and safety of power supply to residents in Shelley.”

/Public Release. View in full here.