Western Australian Energy Minister Mike Nahan has announced that power supplies to homes in Bicton will be built underground, with works starting thanks to the State Underground Power program. Dr Nahan explained that the project will involve the safe removal of the overhead power distribution network and its replacement with underground cabling along 8.85 kilometres of street frontage, delivering underground power to another 780 properties in the northern part of Bicton. Dr Nahan said that the North Bicton project was one of 86 across Western Australia that had buried the electricity supply network to more than 86,000 homes.
“The State Underground Power Program continues to make a real difference for WA communities, and I commend the City of Melville for its enthusiastic involvement in the program,” Dr Nahan commented “The State Government, the City of Melville, Western Power and local ratepayers have contributed $8.5 million to enable the delivery of underground power to another 780 properties.”
Dr Nahan explained that underground power improves the reliability and safety of electricity supplies and enhances the streetscape of local communities. Dr Nahan added that households and local governments also save on the cost of tree trimming which is necessary at this time of the year to prevent branches damaging powerlines, causing hazards and interruptions during storms.

The Minister said these works were expected to be completed in September 2017.