The Unequal Power Divide: Why Perth's North is Left in the Dark
There’s something deeply unsettling about the idea that where you live determines the quality of your basic infrastructure. In Perth’s north, residents are facing a stark reality: their powerlines, still overhead, are a relic of a bygone era. Meanwhile, inner suburbs enjoy the safety and reliability of underground systems. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about equity, safety, and the future of a growing city.
The Cost of Progress: A $243 Million Question
One thing that immediately stands out is the staggering $243 million price tag to bury powerlines in the City of Wanneroo. Personally, I think this number is both a symptom and a cause of the problem. It’s a symptom of decades of neglect in outer suburbs, where infrastructure investment has lagged far behind population growth. But it’s also a cause of frustration, as residents are left wondering why they’re being asked to foot a bill that could reach $11,000 per household. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about money—it’s about priorities. If you take a step back and think about it, the fact that inner suburbs have been prioritized for underground power while outer areas wait decades raises a deeper question: who gets to decide what constitutes a ‘priority’ in infrastructure planning?
The Safety Argument: More Than Just Inconvenience
What makes this particularly fascinating is the safety angle. Overhead powerlines in areas like Wanneroo, Koondoola, and Girrawheen are more prone to outages during storms, which account for 70–85% of power disruptions. From my perspective, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a public safety issue. Poletop fires and storm-related outages aren’t minor nuisances; they’re risks to lives and property. Yet, the financial barriers to undergrounding seem to outweigh these concerns. This raises a broader question: how do we balance cost with the well-being of communities? In my opinion, the long-term benefits of reduced outages and improved safety should outweigh the short-term financial pain.
The Inequity Factor: A Tale of Two Perths
A detail that I find especially interesting is the admission by Wanneroo officials that there’s an ‘inequitable standard’ of power infrastructure across the city. This isn’t just about rich vs. poor—it’s about geography. Suburbs like Tuart Hill and Mt Hawthorn have already benefited from underground power programs, while areas like Two Rocks and Yanchep are told to wait 25 years or more. What this really suggests is a systemic bias toward inner suburbs, leaving outer areas to fend for themselves. Personally, I think this is a reflection of a larger trend in urban planning: the haves and have-nots of infrastructure. It’s not just about powerlines—it’s about roads, public transport, and access to services.
The Future: A Waiting Game or a Call to Action?
If you look at the projections, the timeline for underground power in Perth’s north is depressingly long. Suburbs in the City of Joondalup, like Duncraig and Marmion, are in the same boat. But here’s where it gets interesting: the council is pushing back. They’re advocating for Western Power to prioritize these areas and exploring ways to fund the projects themselves. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just a local issue—it’s a statewide conversation about fairness and foresight. In my opinion, this is a fight worth having. It’s not just about burying powerlines; it’s about burying the idea that some communities are less deserving of modern infrastructure.
Final Thoughts: The Cost of Waiting
As I reflect on this issue, one thing is clear: the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of investment. Every year that passes without progress is another year of outages, safety risks, and inequity. Personally, I think this is a moment for Perth to decide what kind of city it wants to be—one that prioritizes all its residents, or one that leaves some in the dark. The $243 million bill is daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to rethink how we fund and prioritize infrastructure. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about powerlines; it’s about power—who has it, and who doesn’t.
