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Nedlands commissioners re-adopted underground-power service charges for the Nedlands North and Nedlands West projects on 17 September 2025, after the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) set aside an earlier resolution because of a procedural timing irregularity. The action corrected how the charges were imposed; it did not reverse the projects. The amounts reported at the time are not necessarily each property’s final bill.
Why commissioners voted on the charges twice
PerthNow reported that commissioners voted on 3 September 2025 to amend the 2025–26 budget’s underground-power charges. The SAT quashed that resolution the following week after the City identified a timing irregularity. Commissioners then adopted new charges on 17 September.
Chief commissioner David Caddy described the issue as “purely a procedural issue,” according to PerthNow’s 18 September 2025 report. The report reproduced the council report’s explanation that the SAT application was granted “specifically to allow the council to impose the service charge by way of a new resolution.” The decision concerned the process for imposing a service charge, not a new decision to build the network.
The City had agreed to proceed with Nedlands North and Nedlands West in May 2024. Its June 2025 council minutes describe the service charge as a way to fund project payments to Western Power. The final construction status and each property’s individual assessment should be checked with the City rather than inferred from the procedural vote.
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How much will I have to pay?
PerthNow reported starting charges of $6,812.62 in Nedlands North and $5,246.08 in Nedlands West. It also reported estimated project totals of about $7.7 million for 272 North properties and $16.2 million for 668 West properties. Those are the figures in the article’s September 2025 account, not a property-by-property final liability.
The City’s Underground Power project and ratepayer information page lists different residential amounts, separated into network and connection charges:
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- DIRECT BURIAL: Allows direct underground installation without conduit, significantly simplifying installation and saving substantial piping costs and labor time
- UL Listed: Meets rigorous safety and quality standards for dependable use in a variety of environments
- Weatherproof & UV Resistant: The high-quality PVC jacket provides excellent protection against weather elements, making it waterproof, sunproof, snowproof and windproof, with an operating temperature range from -10℃ to 105℃, it maintains stable performance
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: Indoor for Wet or Corrosive Locations; Outdoor for outlets, landscape lighting, agricultural machinery, and other damp or direct-burial scenarios
| Project area | Network charge per meter | Connection charge: new underground connection | Connection charge: underground connection already exists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nedlands North | $6,842.99 | $2,615.72 | $653.93 |
| Nedlands West | $5,663.81 | $2,860.14 | $715.03 |
The PerthNow starting figures and the City’s listed charges do not match, and the published information does not reconcile every property’s assessment or explain a one-to-one comparison. The City also says discounts may apply, including for concession holders and properties affected by transmission wires. Check the amount and its calculation on your own rates notice and ask the City to confirm the details for your property.
What the charge pays for
Network services
The network charge funds shared infrastructure. The City says the work includes removing overhead cables and poles and installing underground cabling and ducts, transformers, switchgear and street lighting. The June 2025 council minutes described the network component as about 90% of project costs under the cost model then in use; that is a description of that model, not a universal percentage for every property’s bill.
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- DIRECT BURIAL: Allows direct underground installation without conduit, significantly simplifying installation and saving substantial piping costs and labor time
- UL Listed: Meets rigorous safety and quality standards for dependable use in a variety of environments
- Weatherproof & UV Resistant: The high-quality PVC jacket provides excellent protection against weather elements, making it waterproof, sunproof, snowproof and windproof, with an operating temperature range from -10℃ to 105℃, it maintains stable performance
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: Indoor for Wet or Corrosive Locations; Outdoor for outlets, landscape lighting, agricultural machinery, and other damp or direct-burial scenarios
Property connection
The consumer mains charge covers the connection from the verge connection point through the property to the meter panel. The amount can depend on the area, whether a connection pillar or consumer main already exists, dwelling type and, for commercial properties, power use.
An existing underground consumer main does not necessarily remove the network charge. The City says such properties will generally be charged for the network component only. Vacant land is not charged a connection fee but still contributes to undergrounding existing overhead lines. Properties on streets where high-voltage transmission lines remain overhead also contribute, although some may qualify for a discount.
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- SPECIFICATIONS: 100 ft length; OD 5.6*11.8mm; rated 600 volts; ETL‑listed for direct burial and suitable for dry or wet locations
- DURABILITY: PVC jacket construction; resists corrosion and UV exposure for dependable outdoor performance
- DIRECT BURIAL: Allows direct underground installation without conduit for simplified setup
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: Great for landscape lighting, outdoor outlets, pump wiring, and exterior electrical projects
How the projects are funded
PerthNow reported that Western Power and the City jointly fund the projects, with the City’s policy recovering half of its contribution from ratepayers receiving underground power. The June 2025 minutes described approximately $14.2 million in Western Power project costs spread across 270 North properties and 668 West properties. Under the arrangement described in those minutes, roughly $7.1 million of the City’s contribution was to be recovered through 2025–26 service charges, with the balance funded from reserves and municipal funds. These are figures and arrangements recorded in the June minutes, not a current audited reconciliation.
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The City page says affected ratepayers may pay in full or over five years. It lists a fixed 4.6% annual interest rate for the five-year option, plus administration fees; deferred instalments attract an additional fee. If ownership changes during the term, the remaining balance is due at settlement. The City says unpaid charges may be discussed under its Financial Hardship Assistance Policy. Because payment terms can change, confirm current dates, rates and fees directly with the City before choosing an option.
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- SPECIFICATIONS: 12/2AWG, 250 ft length; rated 600 volts, Durable Copper Construction Features two solid copper conductors with a PVC jacket
- DIRECT BURIAL: Allows direct underground installation without conduit, significantly simplifying installation and saving substantial piping costs and labor time
- UL Listed: Meets rigorous safety and quality standards for dependable use in a variety of environments
- Weatherproof & UV Resistant: The high-quality PVC jacket provides excellent protection against weather elements, making it waterproof, sunproof, snowproof and windproof, with an operating temperature range from -10℃ to 105℃, it maintains stable performance
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: Indoor for Wet or Corrosive Locations; Outdoor for outlets, landscape lighting, agricultural machinery, and other damp or direct-burial scenarios
Eligible registered pensioners may receive a rebate of up to 50% and defer unpaid underground-power charges. Eligible registered Seniors Card holders who do not have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card may receive a rebate of up to 25%, capped to the amount for the first year the initial charge is raised. Eligibility and applications follow the applicable state concessions process; check current requirements with the City or the relevant agencies.
Which properties and project stages are involved?
The September 2025 charge decision concerned Nedlands North and Nedlands West. It should not be read as a charge decision for Hollywood East: the City’s project account says Western Power is to tender that remaining area and that a Council decision on whether to proceed would follow the tender process.
The City says underground conversion began in 1997 and that five earlier stages converted 78% of residences. It reported that a 2023 survey with 903 responses found 75% support for undergrounding in the three targeted areas and 80% across the wider community; 70% still supported it after respondents were told costs would be shared. In an April 2024 survey of 474 residents in North and West, 57% preferred proceeding despite the financial contribution. These are City-reported survey results, not an independently verified measure of all residents’ views. The City also reported opposition connected to adding fees during cost-of-living pressure.
City project pages describe North construction as beginning in August 2024, with completion expected in August 2025, and West construction as beginning in March 2025, with completion expected in April 2026. Another City page labels both North and West “COMPLETED” while retaining expected-date language for West. The published information does not pin down exact as-built dates, so contact the City for current project status.
Why commissioners, not councillors, made the decision
The Western Australian Government said three commissioners were appointed after five councillors resigned and the remaining four positions were declared vacant effective 25 July 2025. The commissioners were appointed to exercise council responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1995 until a special election planned for 28 March 2026. That is why commissioners took the September 2025 decision.
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