Conditions

We have a standard set of conditions and advice notes for applications that are recommended to and applied by the Western Australian Planning Commission. 

Underground – freehold lots

“Arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission and to the specification of Western Power for the provision of an underground electricity supply service to the lot(s) shown on the approved plan of subdivision.”

Underground power is required for all freehold lots including vacant lots and lots with existing buildings. These connections may be new installations or connections into existing pillars. The advice note is used in conjunction with this condition for the removal of overhead consumer mains.

Underground – strata lots

“Arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission and to the specification of Western Power, for the provision of an electricity supply service to the strata lots shown on the approved plan of subdivision, which may include the provision of necessary service access rights either as an easement under Section 136C and Schedule 9A of the Transfer of Land Act 1893 for the transmission of electricity by underground cable, or (in the case of approvals containing common property) via a portion of the common property suitable for consumer mains”

Underground power is required for all freehold lots including vacant lots and lots with existing buildings. These connections may be new installations or connections into existing pillars. The advice note is used in conjunction with this condition for the removal of overhead consumer mains,and the installation of a sub main switch/distribution board.

A service easement is required on strata lots where direct access to a pillar is not available and internal consumer mains will cross another strata lot to connect.  See WA electrical requirements 3.6.

There is an implied easement for pre-existing services under the Strata Titles Act; however many disputes arose when owners refused access to services through their lot for new access. With WAPC approval, we now included the provision of a service easement as part of our underground condition on all strata lots created since January 2007.

The easement is required to be one metre wide and run from the pillar along an external or internal boundary. It is to be labelled numerically or alphabetically.

Advice notes for both underground conditions:

“With regard to Condition,* Western Power provides only one point of electricity supply per freehold (green title) lot and requires that any existing overhead consumer service is required to be converted to underground.”

“If an existing electricity cable servicing the land the subject of this approval crosses over a proposed lot boundary as denoted on the approved plan of subdivision satisfactory arrangements will need to be made for the removal and relocation of that cable.”

Statutory reference - section 136C, section 136C, schedule 9A Transfer of Land Act

Transmission line easements

“Arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission and to the specification of Western Power for the provision of suitable easements for existing and/or planned transmission (>33,000 Volt) electricity network infrastructure.”

This condition exists for the protection of transmission lines - or the alteration of existing easements on lines over 33,000 Volt - crossing over or close to the subject land. These lines are too expensive to relocate so easements are registered to ensure safety standards are complied with. 

Statutory reference – Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979

Distribution line easements

“Arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission and to the specification of Western Power for the provision of suitable easements under Section 167 of the Planning and Development Act for existing and/or future distribution (≤33,000 Volt) electricity network infrastructure.”

This easement is used to protect our high and low voltage distribution cables that are within the subject land. For existing cables, you will have to engage a cable locator to determine the exact location. For proposed cables, the requirements will be detailed on the design drawing issued. See UDS 5.3.14. for further information.

Statutory reference – section 167, Planning & Development Act

Underground cables

When our cables are placed on private property, we will usually request on the design that an easement be registered over the cables and note the exact location and dimensions. 

For existing cables, or if location and dimensions were not specified, we recommend applicants engage a cable locator in conjunction with Dial 1100 before you dig.

Overhead cables

We do not generally request easements over distribution lines on a property.  If the lot is smaller than 10 hectares, the lines must be relocated.

Advice notes for easement conditions:

“The purpose of Condition* is to ensure that any existing or proposed development does not interfere with any existing and/or proposed Western Power assets. The applicant is advised to contact Western Power for further information and advice regarding easement requirements. All costs associated with the registration of easements are to be borne by the applicant.”

Removal or relocation of our assets

“Arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission and to the specification of Western Power for the removal, relocation and/or replacement of electricity supply infrastructure, including plant and/or equipment located on or near the lots shown on the approved plan.”

This is used for the relocation of overhead distribution lines on properties less than 10 hectares, or to remove/relocate any other Western Power infrastructure on the property as required.

Transformer/substation land transfer

“The transfer of land as a Crown Reserve, free of cost to the Western Power for the provision of electricity supply infrastructure.”

This condition is generally placed on commercial, industrial and residential lots of five or more.  Transformers/switchgear is used to supply the subject land with the required demand load. Land transfer is only required when a ground-mounted substation is needed (approximate size is 4.5x4.5m). However, a larger site may be required where multiple transformers, switchgear or other infrastructure is required and this will be determined at the design stage and will be specified in the design drawing. 

Additional advice for land transfer conditions

“With regard to Condition,* the specific location and area of land required is to be to the satisfaction of the WAPC on the advice of the local government and Western Power.”

Additional notes

  • We manage designs for freehold title applications up to four lots and all strata applications. Unless a subdivision is split into smaller stages, an outside electrical designer must be engaged for freehold title of five lots or more.
  • Freehold (one point of electricity per lot) lots cannot cross more than one metre into another freehold lot to connect into a pillar, and one pillar can only service up to two freehold lots at any one time. A pillar can be on the boundary of two lots or anywhere along the front boundary for sole use.
  • Strata lots cannot cross more than one metre into another freehold lot to connect into a pillar and only have one point of electricity. However, the pillar does not have to be on the strata boundary and access can be made by crossing other strata lot/s through the use of common property or a service easement. Stratas can make up to two direct connections into a pillar; any more requires the installation of a main switch/distribution board.
  • Easements are requested for the protection of our assets, for access on strata applications and to ensure adequate safety standards for all. Visit the Landgate website for details on the interests & notifications panel requirements:
  • Green dome refers to a standard or uni pillar (see below).
  • (Standard) pillar is usually for standard residential use, and can have up to two direct connections per lot, or up to four with a sub main switchboard installed.
  • Uni pillar is a heavier duty pillar for bigger load demands, usually used for residential strata developments (five or more) and on some commercial and industrial lots.
  • Distribution lines includes low and high voltage lines both overhead and/or underground.
  • Balance lots (9000) and superlots (9500) are for future subdivision and usually do not require conditions at this early stage, unless they are to be sold (balance lots only).
  • Lots over 50 hectares do not require underground power.

For more information

Contact our customer services centre on 13 10 87 or enquiry@westernpower.com.au.

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