NETWORK upgrades in Darlington are underway with Western Power (WP) committing $4 million to enhance network resilience and maintain network safety in the Shire of Mundaring.
WP’s scheduled upgrades throughout June and July will replace 87 poles, 4.3km of powerlines as well as upgrade streetlights, reclosers, cross arms and insulators.
Echo News asked WP how the $4m was being distributed however the spokesperson did not confirm the amounts allocated to each target.
WP executive manager of asset operations Zane Christmas said the upgrades also included overhead wires being replaced with covered aerial bundle cable (ABC).
“Which is more durable, has a longer service life, is more resilient to environmental impacts and helps mitigate bushfire risks,” Mr Christmas said.
The spokesperson said all new powerlines with a low voltage network would use ABC.
However, the WP spokesperson did not confirm if Swan, Kalamunda, Northam, York and Bassendean already had the ABC.
The spokesperson said the Darlington project was part of WP’s annual $1 billion budget on network maintenance and upgrades.
“Work will take place in the Shire of Mundaring including Clayton Road, Marriott Road, Musgrove Crescent, Hudman Road, Vivian Way, Fyfe Street, Saw Drive and Katharine Street,” the WP spokesperson said.
“These upgrades will benefit customers in the immediate vicinity of the works and the broader local community due to the interconnected nature of the network.”
In its 2024 annual report, WP said it replaced 105 poles and about 4.7km of power lines and upgraded 70 streetlights to LEDs in the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring.
WP said it was working with the shire to minimise residential and business disruptions via a traffic management plan.
Mr Christmas said some planned power outages would be necessary for the work to be completed safely by the crew.
He said residents and businesses would be given three to 10 business days notice for planned outages.
“We understand planned works can cause some short-term inconvenience, but we expect these upgrades to bring long-term benefits for the local community.”
