Community briefing on Hilton underground power

Hilton residents are encouraged to attend a community briefing next week to find out more about the coming Hilton underground power project.

Western Power has identified Hilton as one of four Perth suburbs to participate in a new underground power pilot program, in which the cost of replacing the area’s ageing overhead network of poles and wires will be put towards underground power instead.

The community briefing will be part of the regular Hilton Precinct Group meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, 7 December at the Fremantle PCYC on Paget Street.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the information session would be a good place for Hilton residents to ask Western Power questions about the project.

“This pilot project presents a unique opportunity for Hilton residents to access the benefits of underground power at considerably less cost than would normally be the case,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“Underground power not only provides a safer and more reliable power supply, it also improves the appearance of the street, allows street trees to grow to their full height and increases property values.

“It also means there will be more capacity to cater for future demands like solar power and electric vehicles, and the area will get brighter, energy-efficient LED streetlights.

“Representatives from Western Power and the City will be at the briefing to answer all of your questions, so I’d encourage everyone to get down to the PCYC on Tuesday and hear all about this exciting project.”

The Hilton underground power project will connect 470 properties to the new underground network. The project area has been determined by Western Power based on the age and risk profile of the existing overhead poles and wires.

The project is due to begin in February 2022 and will be rolled out in stages until completion in November 2022.

Under the co-funding agreement between Western Power and the City of Fremantle, Western Power will fund all of the new mains infrastructure and the new LED streetlights and the City will fund the connection of residential properties to the mains.

The City’s contribution will be recovered through a service charge levied on properties that receive a new underground connection, to be paid interest-free over a period of seven years. The connection cost per property will be around $2500, or around $357 per year.

For more information and updates on the project please visit westernpower.com.au.