Pole to pillar (P2P)
Please note these details reflect changes to the pole to pillar program have recently come into effect.
If your street has overhead powerlines, we offer a scheduled rate (conditions apply see below) for an underground pole to pillar connection.
A pole to pillar connection is mandatory if you are in an overhead area and you are:
- building a new house; or
- subdividing a property.
In some cases, it may be necessary if you are upgrading your supply.
Many people choose to change to a pole to pillar connection, even if they are not building or subdividing, because:
- it looks better
- saves money on tree pruning
- allows you to grow trees in the front garden;
- is much more secure in stormy weather; and
- if you have a 'customer' or 'carry over' pole, it can be removed.
A pole to pillar connection means running an underground cable from the pole in the street to your property. Depending on what side of the road the powerlines are on, this may involve drilling under the road.
A green dome (pillar) is then installed just inside your property, close to the side and front boundaries.
You will need to get your own electrical contractor to run a cable from the pillar to your meter box.
How to apply
For information about how to apply to a pole to pillar connection, see new connections or changing to an underground supply.
Costs and conditions
A fixed charge 'pole to pillar' rate of $681 may apply if there is a suitable power supply available and certain other conditions are met. You may be required to contribute towards the cost if:
- your lot is larger than 2500 square meters and the pillar is located in a non standard position that restricts electrical access from adjacent properties
- Western Power is unable to access the site and position the pillar
- you are building more than two dwellings (the subsidised rate will still be available to domestic, non-commercial customers who are developing one lot or subdividing two lots).
- Western Power needs to extend the network to reach your property
- Western Power needs to upgrade the network to meet your capacity requirements
- you want a dedicated pillar
- the pillar is placed in a non-standard position
- you require more than a standard supply
- your lot is further than 25km from a substation
The revised policy provides developers with a dedicated pillar option for 3 and 4 lot strata developments as an alternative to installing a Site Main Switchboard. This provides a potentially lower cost solution for developers, increases options for electrical contractors and mitigates conflict between lot owners.
Site pegging will no longer be mandatory, but will continue to apply where the lot boundaries are undefined. This will eliminate unnecessary survey costs for customers.
The revised policy came into effect on 1 February 2012.
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