Published on Tuesday, 27 March 2018 at 9:10:08 AM
Removal of the unsightly power poles and wires on Chapman Road and Durlacher Street is transforming the Geraldton CBD.
Works to underground the power to buildings located on Chapman Road, Cathedral Avenue, Forrest Street and Durlacher Street between Sanford Street and Marine Terrace is reaching completion. This project began in November 2017 and is scheduled to be completed in mid-April 2018.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the visual completion of this legacy project is already transporting these streets into the 21st century.
“In July 1913, power poles with electric street lighting were first installed in our CBD. Now, 105 years later we can celebrate the removal of the existing overhead poles and wires in this area and with this we can already see a massive streetscape improvement to the area,” he said.
“Once all the poles and overhead wires are removed and the street lighting has been reinstated Council can finally deliver a project that has been on the City’s agenda for many years.”
A Western Power spokesperson thanked both the City of Geraldton, the State Government and contractors for working with Wester Power to deliver Underground Power to the CBD.
“This project has posed several challenges, and we thank all the organisations involved. This project will greatly improve amenity in the area and enhance safety, security and continuity of supply,” they said.
More than 30 power poles and 1.6km of overhead conductor have been removed since the project started late last year. The average age of these poles is 18 years, of which 10 poles are 32 years and older.
Approximately 4.1km of horizontal directional drilling was carried out in the installation of the underground network which has been designed to allow for future load growth.
The $1.1 million project, is jointly funded, with Western Power and the State Government providing $500,000 via the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) Localised Enhancement Project fund and the City of Greater Geraldton contributing the remainder.
This project sees the successful completion of SUPP Round 5 as we look forward to moving into Round 6.
Picture caption: In 1913, power poles with electric street lighting were first installed in our CBD. Now, 105 years later we celebrate the removal of the existing overhead poles and wires in the area. Pictured in the second image: City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Western Power’s Head of Operational Services Stewart Furness, City of Greater Geraldton Director of Infrastructure Services Chris Lee and City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim.
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