Private power poles and cables
A fallen power pole or powerline has the potential to result in a ground fire or electric shock.
If you have a private powerline and/or a private power pole on your property, it's your responsibility to inspect and maintain them.
Western Power has a duty of care requiring it to inspect the first privately-owned power pole on your property. It will be directly supporting the Western Power supply cables. Property owners have their own obligation to inspect, maintain and replace all of their private poles, including the first pole.
The technical requirements and practices for the safe management of privately-owned power poles are detailed by State electricity safety regulator, Building and Energy.
Following the judgment given in July 2021 by the Supreme Court of Western Australia, relating to the Parkerville fire, Western Power began inspecting the first private power pole on properties.
Landowners with private power poles will still have their own obligations to inspect, maintain and replace these first power poles, as well as any other private power poles on their property that do not directly support Western Power’s network.
If you're unsure where Western Power’s network ends and where your responsibilities begin, call us on 13 10 87 or please visit the Building and Energy website.
As power poles and powerlines are routinely exposed to inclement weather conditions and pests, they're susceptible to structural damage. Damaged or degraded power poles and powerlines can fail which can lead to fires and/or electric shock so it's important that you inspect and maintain them.
Have a qualified, licensed professional regularly inspect the condition of your private power poles and powerlines as underlying structural issues or internal deteriorations may not be visible to the untrained eye. NECA WA has set up a list of electrical contractors who are available to replace private poles for affected consumers.
The diagram below shows the separation between network assets and privately owned assets. Further information about ownership of private power poles, powerlines and underground cables is available from Building and Energy (formerly EnergySafety)
Private power pole and network operator’s service cable
FAQs
We’ll need to access your property to inspect the first private pole. If we need your help to access the pole (e.g. opening locked gates or ensuring animals don’t escape the property), please let us know and we'll do our best to contact you before the inspection to arrange a time convenient for you.
If you need to provide us access to your property or if you have any questions about this work please call 13 10 87 (TIS: 13 14 50 or TIY: 1800 13 13 51) or use our contact form
As the property owner, you are responsible and accountable for all privately owned poles on your property. Once we’ve inspected the first private power pole, we’ll notify you if maintenance or replacement is required, and who you may seek to contact to complete the work.
Depending on the condition of the pole, you’ll have either 30 or 90 days to replace it or we may advise to undertake this work in the future.
More information about private power poles can be found on the Building and Energy website
Both Western Power and property owners have private pole inspection obligations as follows:
- Western Power has a duty of care requiring it to periodically inspect the first private power pole on a property. This pole will be providing support to the Western Power service cable supplying electricity to the property.
- Property owners have a duty of care to inspect, maintain and replace all of their private poles, including the first private power pole on a property.
The technical requirements and practices for the safe management of privately-owned power poles are detailed by State electricity safety regulator, Building and Energy.
More information about private power poles can be found on the Building and Energy website.
If the private power pole is shared by neighbouring properties all property owners are responsible for its inspection, maintenance and replacement. We advise you to contact your neighbours to agree on a course of action to make your shared private pole(s) safe.
If the private power poles are made of sawn timber, they should be replaced immediately. Sawn timber cannot be used to support power lines because of the high risk of deterioration and early failure. Regardless of the current condition of a sawn timber first private power pole you will be issued with a replacement notice. This is to ensure the safety of your property and the community.
As soon as you receive your Private Power Pole Defect notice, it’s best to get in contact with an electrical contractor to come and assess the work that needs to be done to make your pole safe. Your electrical contractor will provide you with a quote to undertake the work.
Be mindful of timeframes outlined in your notice. Contacting a qualified electrical contractor as soon as you receive your notice will assist in ensuring that work is completed before the end of the notice period, preventing any service interruptions.
Here are some common issues that will result in us issuing a defect notice for your private power pole:
- Termite related damage
- Rot, splitting, fire damage or cracks in wooden poles and cross arms
- Excessive leaning or instability of the pole
- Rusting/corrosion of metal poles, lattice/tripod structures, cross arms or attachments
- Physical damage of the pole, e.g. via impact, which affects structural integrity
- Sawn timber poles (generally square section, often untreated) are not suitable for power poles as they are more prone to rot and structural deterioration.
The Department of Building and Energy provides examples of these faults and others.
We’ll visually inspect the first private pole on your property and if safe and we are able to then we’ll dig around the base to check the condition of the pole below ground level. We don't anticipate an electricity outage will be required but if we find your power pole is in an immediately dangerous condition, we’ll need to disconnect the property to maintain safety.
There is no cost for us to inspect the first private pole on your property, however as you are responsible for it, any maintenance or replacement will need to be arranged by you at your expense. If the pole isn't replaced and we have to disconnect you for safety reasons, there will be a reconnection fee.
Depending on the condition of the private power pole, you’ll have either 30 or 90 days to replace it. We recommend you engage with a qualified licensed electrician to replace your pole with one compliant to Australian Standards within the advised timeframe otherwise for safety reasons we’ll need to disconnect your property until the installation is made safe.
Yes, if you wish to replace your pole with an underground service connection, we can discuss your requirements and work with you on an expected delivery date depending on the complexity.
We suggest you apply as soon as you receive your notice to ensure the work is carried out prior to the end of your notice period. Please advise us that you have received a private power pole replacement notice at the point of application.
Any costs associated with this replacement will be incurred by the property owner.
If you’re a tenant at your property and receive a Private Power Pole Defect Notice, forward it to your landlord or property manager. The private power pole is likely to be their responsibility to inspect, maintain and replace depending on the terms of your tenancy arrangement.