Community Energised Following Last Pole Ceremony

The ‘last pole ceremony’ was held at the corner of Clive Street and Ogilvie Road, Mount Pleasant. The project area is bounded by Canning Highway to the north, The Esplanade to the east, Coomoora Road to the south and Ardross Street and Henley Road to the west.

Mayor Russell Aubrey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Shayne Silcox, Western Power Acting CEO Malcolm Peacock, Alfred Cove MLA Janet Woollard, contractor representatives and various City and Western Power staff attended the momentous event. Guests were invited to a reception in the City’s Reception Lounge following the ceremony in Mount Pleasant.

Western Power Acting CEO Malcolm Peacock said he was pleased with the progress of the project, which had been delivered on time and under budget. “Underground power delivers many benefits to both residents and Western Power, including reduced outages and increased safety. Residents also no longer need to keep trees on their property away from overhead powerlines,” he said.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the project, which started in early 2008, had involved installing more than 80km of cable, connecting about 2,000 properties to underground power and erecting more than 500 new street lights. “Underground power will bring Mount Pleasant residents a safer and more secure power supply with fewer power failures, particularly in winter when the weather can damage overhead wires,” he said. “As said, street trees will also be able to grow to full height, which will create a more aesthetically pleasing streetscape.”

Mayor Aubrey said the State Government introduced the State Underground Power Program to encourage the removal of existing overhead power lines in older suburbs and provide for their replacement with underground systems. “The Mount Pleasant project is part of Round Four of the program, which is managed through the Office of Energy. Given the opportunity, the City of Melville is keen to prepare submissions for all the remaining areas in the City that currently have overhead power. However, it is up to the Office of Energy to prioritise all projects submitted by the various local governments,” he said.

“The Council agreed to the Mount Pleasant Underground Power Project after a survey of residents showed strong support for the installation of underground power in the project area. Several other areas within the City – including Applecross, and parts of Booragoon, Bicton and Brentwood – have also been included in the underground power program. Further expansion of the program is likely to occur in due course,” he said.