Over the past two decades, the Town of Mosman Park has worked alongside the State Government and Western Power to progressively replace overhead powerlines with underground infrastructure. This has already been achieved in several areas of the Town.
Underground power offers a range of long-term benefits – including a safer and more reliable power supply, improved streetscapes, and potential increases in property value.
In 2002–2003, approximately half of Mosman Park was converted to underground power through Western Power’s State Underground Power Program.
Since then, securing funding to complete the remaining areas has been challenging, and the high cost of undergrounding continues to be a barrier.
In response to strong and ongoing community interest, the Town has continued to work with Western Power to explore practical options and funding pathways to complete the transition across the rest of Mosman Park.
PROJECT UPDATE
There is now an opportunity to bring forward undergrounding in the remaining areas, but doing so would require financial contributions from affected property owners.
The Town is seeking feedback from affected property owners on two options:
- Bringing the project forward, with affected property owners covering a high portion of the cost
- Waiting for the scheduled rollout, expected to be subsidised by Western Power, with a lower financial contribution required from property owners
Council will use this feedback to decide whether to request early delivery of the project or continue with the scheduled rollout. The level of support from affected property owners will be the key factor in that decision and have set a threshold of 70% support required from a 30% minimum response rate for option 1 below to be considered.
OPTION 1: Bringing the Project Forward (2026–2029)
If there is support from a significant majority of affected property owners, the Town will request that Western Power bring forward the undergrounding of overhead power in the remaining areas of Mosman Park, with works potentially completed by 2029.
What it means for property owners:
- Property owners would be required to contribute around one third of the total project cost, with Western Power funding the remaining two-thirds
- Estimated contributions currently range from $4,500 to $16,000 per property, depending on property type and connection requirements.
- Payments would likely be spread over three years (e.g. 2026, 2027, 2028)
OPTION 2: Waiting for the Scheduled Rollout (2035–2045)
If the community prefers not to bring the project forward, undergrounding of overhead power will proceed under Western Power’s Targeted Underground Power Program, currently scheduled between 2035 and 2045.
What this would mean for property owners:
- The work would happen later
- Western Power is expected to provide subsidies, but the final funding arrangements are yet to be confirmed
- It is likely you will be required to contribute, but at a much lower rate than for Option 1
Survey concluded - the next steps
The survey for Underground Power related to affected property owners has now concluded. We would like to thank all those affected property owners for the contribution and participation in the survey and Information Sessions (held in-person and online).
The Underground Power Advisory Group (UPAG), Council and the Town Administration will examine feedback and results from the community consultation and findings from the financial modelling. The final decision will be made by Council to either bring the underground power project forward or to accept Western Power’s 2032-2037 timeframes.
To find out more, read through the Underground Power Fact Sheet here.
Over the past two decades, the Town of Mosman Park has worked alongside the State Government and Western Power to progressively replace overhead powerlines with underground infrastructure. This has already been achieved in several areas of the Town.
Underground power offers a range of long-term benefits – including a safer and more reliable power supply, improved streetscapes, and potential increases in property value.
In 2002–2003, approximately half of Mosman Park was converted to underground power through Western Power’s State Underground Power Program.
Since then, securing funding to complete the remaining areas has been challenging, and the high cost of undergrounding continues to be a barrier.
In response to strong and ongoing community interest, the Town has continued to work with Western Power to explore practical options and funding pathways to complete the transition across the rest of Mosman Park.
PROJECT UPDATE
There is now an opportunity to bring forward undergrounding in the remaining areas, but doing so would require financial contributions from affected property owners.
The Town is seeking feedback from affected property owners on two options:
- Bringing the project forward, with affected property owners covering a high portion of the cost
- Waiting for the scheduled rollout, expected to be subsidised by Western Power, with a lower financial contribution required from property owners
Council will use this feedback to decide whether to request early delivery of the project or continue with the scheduled rollout. The level of support from affected property owners will be the key factor in that decision and have set a threshold of 70% support required from a 30% minimum response rate for option 1 below to be considered.
OPTION 1: Bringing the Project Forward (2026–2029)
If there is support from a significant majority of affected property owners, the Town will request that Western Power bring forward the undergrounding of overhead power in the remaining areas of Mosman Park, with works potentially completed by 2029.
What it means for property owners:
- Property owners would be required to contribute around one third of the total project cost, with Western Power funding the remaining two-thirds
- Estimated contributions currently range from $4,500 to $16,000 per property, depending on property type and connection requirements.
- Payments would likely be spread over three years (e.g. 2026, 2027, 2028)
OPTION 2: Waiting for the Scheduled Rollout (2035–2045)
If the community prefers not to bring the project forward, undergrounding of overhead power will proceed under Western Power’s Targeted Underground Power Program, currently scheduled between 2035 and 2045.
What this would mean for property owners:
- The work would happen later
- Western Power is expected to provide subsidies, but the final funding arrangements are yet to be confirmed
- It is likely you will be required to contribute, but at a much lower rate than for Option 1
Survey concluded - the next steps
The survey for Underground Power related to affected property owners has now concluded. We would like to thank all those affected property owners for the contribution and participation in the survey and Information Sessions (held in-person and online).
The Underground Power Advisory Group (UPAG), Council and the Town Administration will examine feedback and results from the community consultation and findings from the financial modelling. The final decision will be made by Council to either bring the underground power project forward or to accept Western Power’s 2032-2037 timeframes.
To find out more, read through the Underground Power Fact Sheet here.
