What is a service charge?

The cost of undergrounding power is split between Western Power and the ratepayer.

A service charge is the amount to be charged to properties in the project area and reflects the Western Power charge, which consists of:

• Network charge – this is determined by property type (residential or commercial) and the associated demand for network capacity as allocated by Western Power. All residential ratepayers in the project area are being charged the same $2078.05 fee. 
• Connection charge – this is dependent on whether the property has an existing underground consumer main, the location of the main electrical switchboard to which the mains supply is connected and the number of electricity meters that share a mains supply.

Who is paying for underground power?

Western Power and Vincent have committed to work together toward converting overhead distribution powerlines to underground power, delivering reliable and safe power for almost 16,000 properties in Vincent across eight project areas.

The cost of this major project will be shared between Western Power and ratepayers:

• Western Power will fund part of the network charge.

This is the cost of removing power poles, placing overhead distribution cables below ground, and installing new streetlights. This cost will vary by project area.

• Ratepayers will fund the balance of the network charge, plus a connection charge.

The connection charge is the cost of underground cable connection between your own property and the new network i.e., between the Green Dome located at the boundary of the property and the building(s).

Ratepayers will pay one single service charge, which is the combined total of the network charge for their area and applicable connection charge for their property.

Why do I need to respond by 16 December to access a four-year installment option?

The City of Vincent will be taking out loans with the Western Australian Treasury Corporation to fund the four-year repayment options.

The loans will need to be included in the City's 2025/26 Annual Budget before Vincent can apply for them.

To ensure we will be able to fund the four-year repayment option for those who need it, we require advance notice of how many ratepayers will be using the program.  

If you choose to take the four-year instalment option, interest will be applied.

Priority for the four-year instalment option will be provided to pensioners and those experiencing financial hardship.

I already have a green dome, will I still need to pay?

If the meter box at your property is already connected via underground cable to a ‘Green Dome’, you will not be charged a connection charge, however you will still have to pay the balance of the network charge.

The underground power service charge is made up of two components: 

1. Connection charge

   This is the cost of the underground cable connection between your property and the new underground network. In other words, between the Green Dome located at the boundary of your property and your electricity meter.

   If you already have this underground connection from your meter box to a green dome (or pit) on your property boundary, you will not be charged a customer connection charge and will only pay the network charge. 

    
2. Network charge

   This is the cost of removing power poles from streets, undergrounding the distribution cables that those power poles support, ground-mounting the transformers and switchgear that currently sit on top of power poles and replacing streetlights that are currently attached to power poles with new streetlight poles and LED fittings. 

   These network infrastructure items serve everyone in the project area, including properties that have previously had their customer connection undergrounded. 

   For this reason, all property owners are required to contribute to the cost of undergrounding this common network infrastructure. 

   Western Power is contributing 88% of the network cost. 

   Ratepayers are required to contribute the remaining 12%. This equates to a network charge of $2,078 per residential property. 

   Businesses are charged a variable network charge based on the demand they place on the network. Some small businesses will receive a network charge similar to a residential property because they use very little power, while large businesses with high electricity demand will pay more.

I'm a pensioner and/or Seniors Card holder, will I need to pay the full amount?

Property owners holding either a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card together with a WA Seniors Card will be entitled to a 50 per cent State Government rebate on underground power charges, proportionate to their share of the property. This rebate applies to the pensioner’s primary residence, not to investment properties.  

The total amount of service charges shown on the letter sent to ratepayers in November 2024 is the total amount prior to subtraction of the pensioner rebate. Pensioners who have already registered with City of Vincent to receive the State Government rebate for rates and service charges, don’t need to register again – their rebate will be applied automatically to the underground power service charges. 

For pensioners who choose to pay by instalments, the 50 per cent rebate will be applied to each instalment. These instalments will be subject to the applicable loan interest rate as stated in the letter received in November 2024. 

Ratepayers who select the four-year payment option and become eligible pensioners during the four-year repayment period will be eligible for the pensioner rebate on payments made after they become eligible.

State Government Seniors Card holders can access a fixed rebate of $100, for payment in full, proportionate to their share of the property.

Visit ConcessionsWA for more information.

How are the service charges for my property calculated and what are they based on?

The service charge = network charge + connection charge.

The network charge covers costs outside your property boundary. The connection charge covers costs inside your property boundary. 

There is a flat-fee network charge of $2078.05 for residential properties. Commercial properties will be subject to variable network charge, based on their electrical load. This is calculated as $305 per KVA and reflects the proportional share of the electricity distribution network that supplies each property.

The connection charge is standard for all properties. 

We paid to underground our development when it was built, including the power lines on the street – why are you asking us to pay for this again?

You are receiving a network charge, but not a connection charge. 

The network charge reflects your property’s share of the wider network, which has not previously been undergrounded. You are not receiving a charge for work already completed.

Will any access to our property be required? If not, what about the verge?

Properties that already have an underground consumer main should not need to be accessed for works to be completed. 

Verge access will be required by the contractor, who will be in contact some weeks in advance. 

A project staging schedule will also be made available on the City’s website this month, showing where works will be happening at different times, so that you can prepare for works in your area.

What is the legal basis for the service charges?

The relevant legislation includes:

• The Local Government Act 1995 - 6.38 Service Charges
• The Local Government Financial Management Regulations 1996  - Regulation 54 defines ‘prescribed work’.

What is Primary Equipment?

Primary equipment units are an essential component in the delivery of underground power. 

They are electrical infrastructure, such as ground mounted transformers and switchgear units that enable the distribution of electricity to residents through the underground network.

This equipment was previously located on overhead poles, and as part of the conversion to underground power it is being moved to locations on the ground, generally in parks and on public verges.

Primary equipment is housed in green metal cabinets. Depending on the site and installation requirements, a retaining wall may also be required. 

Each site will have its own unique installation requirements to comply with Western Power’s technical specifications, Australian Standards and for community safety.

Western Power endeavours to minimise the footprint of each primary equipment site and has worked closely with City of Vincent to determine each site location following extensive analysis of the network, technical standards and financial costing, and taking into consideration public safety, heritage, environmental and social impacts. 

When will primary equipment be installed for the North Perth/Mt Hawthorn underground power project?

Primary equipment will be installed as part of the construction of underground power. Work will start in early 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

How are the primary equipment sites selected?

The location of primary equipment is dictated by the need for proximity to properties being supplied with power.

Beyond this, the following site selection criteria are applied:

• Where possible, equipment is placed on City owned land (parks, car parks, public open spaces).
• The next choice is the side verge of corner properties, where resident views are minimally impacted, and sight lines from driveways can be maintained.
• Third choice is the front verge of private property, taking into account safety and amenity considerations.

Every effort is made to ensure the chosen site locations have the lowest impact on the surrounding area. If required, landscaping, screening or artwork will be added.

What are the construction impacts of primary equipment sites?

During the primary equipment installation works, there may be some construction impacts such as dust, vibrations and noise.

Noise impacts will be minimised by using equipment that is well maintained and fit for purpose, as well as by scheduling times to have the least impact on residents.

Contractors generally work within regular construction hours. If after hours work is required for public safety reasons or to minimise the outage impact to residents, the contractor will work with the City of Vincent and other relevant authorities to schedule the most appropriate time. Impacted residents will be informed prior to these out of hours works commencing.

To complete the work safely, traffic management may be in place. Please take care around work sites and follow the appropriate signage.

What is involved in the construction of primary equipment sites?

Each primary equipment site is installed according to Western Power’s technical specifications which meet or exceed the Australian Standards to ensure community safety and efficient operation of the equipment.

Although primary equipment sites are not all the same, the steps involved in construction are: 

• Construction starts with the site being pegged with survey stakes to show the actual footprint.
• The ground is checked for third party services before being excavated.
• Once the hole has been dug, the soil at the base is levelled and compacted to prepare for a crane to position the equipment. 
• The equipment is installed correctly, then the electrical cables are terminated and tested.
• When this is complete the site will be backfilled and compacted.
• The site will have a border installed, or if required a retaining wall, then a layer of blue metal placed around the assets.

Does the primary equipment make any noise once installed?

Primary equipment does emit a slight humming sound as part of normal operation. The noise can be compared to that made by a quietly running fridge.

The locations of primary equipment are selected to comply with the Western Australian Environmental Protection (Noise Regulations) 1997.