Ceremony marks end of Mount Pleasant North Underground Power Project

Energy Minister Peter Collier has joined the City of Melville in celebrating the completion of the Mount Pleasant North Underground Power Project.

Mr Collier said the homes of more than 2000 ratepayers in the Mt Pleasant North area would reap major benefits from the project.

"Completion of this project provides local residents with a more reliable standard of electrical supply while ensuring more attractive streetscapes and evenly-lit streets," he said.

"It also helps to reduce power interruptions during emergency events, such as car accidents and severe weather conditions.

"The City of Melville has done an excellent job in facilitating the Mt Pleasant Underground Power Project.

"It has been a strong supporter of the underground power program, having been involved in the pilot project for Applecross in 1996."

Construction of the Mt Pleasant North project, which started in January 2008, was completed on time at a total cost of $13.537million.

This cost was shared between local governments (50 per cent through local ratepayers who benefit directly), the State Government (25 per cent) and Western Power (25 per cent).

The underground power program was established in 1996, under the previous Court Liberal Government, to help improve the state's electricity distribution network.

There are three major residential projects being implemented in the Perth metropolitan area, with more being scheduled as part of this latest round of projects.

The Underground Power Steering Committee will call for expressions of interest proposals in the final quarter of 2009 for the upcoming Round Five of projects, funding for which was announced by the Liberal-National Government in the State Budget.