Underground Power

Current focus area: Carlisle South

The Town of Victoria Park is considering applying for underground power in Carlisle South, the area bordered by Rutland Avenue, Roberts Road, Star Street and Mercury Street.

Carlisle South

This area is not currently identified by Western Power for an underground power project in the near future, as the existing infrastructure is not yet due for area-wide replacement. Western Power’s Network Renewal Map places Carlisle South in the ‘long-term’ category, indicating that an upgrade could be up to 30 years away.

Rather than waiting for this timeframe, the Town can nominate Carlisle South for consideration under Western Power’s Retrospective Underground Power (RUP) program.

Why underground power?

If delivered, underground power would bring Carlisle South into line with surrounding areas and provide a range of benefits for residents, including:

  • Improved reliability, with a reduced risk of outages caused by storms, vehicle impacts or pole‑top fires
  • Greater capacity for future electricity demand, such as electric vehicles and increased use of home air conditioning
  • Improved safety through the removal of overhead power connections to homes
  • More space for street trees, supporting increased canopy cover and shade
  • Improved street lighting, with modern LED lights installed to current Australian Standards
  • Reduced requirements for street tree pruning, saving ratepayer dollars and freeing up space for our trees to thrive

How RUP projects are funded

Councils that choose to proceed with a RUP project are required to make a financial contribution. Most of this cost is recovered through a one‑off underground power service charge applied to all properties within the project area.

What this could mean for Carlisle South

The Town has asked Western Power to assess Carlisle South for a potential RUP. Based on their initial advice:

  • A detailed design would take 18-24 months.
  • Preparing tenders and approvals would take about six months.
  • Construction would take another 18-24 months.

Because no design exists yet, we cannot provide a confirmed cost. However, early estimates suggest a service charge of around $3,500-$4,000 per property, before any applicable concessions for pensioners and senior card holders. In past underground power projects, the Town has allowed residents to spread payments over several years.

We want your feedback

Before presenting this option to Council, the Town is seeking feedback from ratepayers within the proposed project area. We are asking Carlisle South property owners who may be affected by a future service charge for their views to help inform Council’s decision. There are a number of ways to let us know whether you support the Town proceeding with this project:

  • Fill out our quick online feedback form below
  • Email the Town at admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au (titled: Carlisle South underground power feedback)
  • Write to the Town at Locked Bag 437, Victoria Park WA 6979 (titled: Carlisle South underground power feedback)

Feedback is invited until 31 May 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the Town on 9311 8111 or admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au

Current focus area: Carlisle South

The Town of Victoria Park is considering applying for underground power in Carlisle South, the area bordered by Rutland Avenue, Roberts Road, Star Street and Mercury Street.

Carlisle South

This area is not currently identified by Western Power for an underground power project in the near future, as the existing infrastructure is not yet due for area-wide replacement. Western Power’s Network Renewal Map places Carlisle South in the ‘long-term’ category, indicating that an upgrade could be up to 30 years away.

Rather than waiting for this timeframe, the Town can nominate Carlisle South for consideration under Western Power’s Retrospective Underground Power (RUP) program.

Why underground power?

If delivered, underground power would bring Carlisle South into line with surrounding areas and provide a range of benefits for residents, including:

  • Improved reliability, with a reduced risk of outages caused by storms, vehicle impacts or pole‑top fires
  • Greater capacity for future electricity demand, such as electric vehicles and increased use of home air conditioning
  • Improved safety through the removal of overhead power connections to homes
  • More space for street trees, supporting increased canopy cover and shade
  • Improved street lighting, with modern LED lights installed to current Australian Standards
  • Reduced requirements for street tree pruning, saving ratepayer dollars and freeing up space for our trees to thrive

How RUP projects are funded

Councils that choose to proceed with a RUP project are required to make a financial contribution. Most of this cost is recovered through a one‑off underground power service charge applied to all properties within the project area.

What this could mean for Carlisle South

The Town has asked Western Power to assess Carlisle South for a potential RUP. Based on their initial advice:

  • A detailed design would take 18-24 months.
  • Preparing tenders and approvals would take about six months.
  • Construction would take another 18-24 months.

Because no design exists yet, we cannot provide a confirmed cost. However, early estimates suggest a service charge of around $3,500-$4,000 per property, before any applicable concessions for pensioners and senior card holders. In past underground power projects, the Town has allowed residents to spread payments over several years.

We want your feedback

Before presenting this option to Council, the Town is seeking feedback from ratepayers within the proposed project area. We are asking Carlisle South property owners who may be affected by a future service charge for their views to help inform Council’s decision. There are a number of ways to let us know whether you support the Town proceeding with this project:

  • Fill out our quick online feedback form below
  • Email the Town at admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au (titled: Carlisle South underground power feedback)
  • Write to the Town at Locked Bag 437, Victoria Park WA 6979 (titled: Carlisle South underground power feedback)

Feedback is invited until 31 May 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the Town on 9311 8111 or admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au

  • Feedback form

    This matter has not yet been presented to Council. As a Carlisle South property owner who may be affected by a future service charge, we’re asking for your views to help inform Council’s decision.

    Feedback is invited until 31 May 2026.

    Take Survey
Page last updated: 13 May 2026, 03:17 PM