The City of Wanneroo is taking a firm stance against Western Power’s proposed plans for a new transmission power line that is set to traverse East Wanneroo. In a recent council meeting, members voted unanimously to empower the Mayor to advocate for the relocation of the proposed overhead line. The request aims to either shift the line to a more easterly position or consider placing it underground, in order to avoid disrupting existing and future residential areas.
This transmission line is part of the North Clean Energy Link initiative, which involves the construction of a 132-kilovolt, 24-kilometer transmission line stretching from the Wangara Substation to the Neerabup Terminal. The proposed route runs along Ocean Reef Road and up Sydney Road, primarily within a corridor that exists between Lake Gnangara and Jandabup Lake.
According to Western Power, the North Clean Energy Link aims to expand the state’s electricity grid, facilitating the delivery of renewable energy to households and businesses across Perth and the Mid West region. However, Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken has expressed serious concerns about the placement of the overhead lines, particularly regarding their potential impact on property values and community amenity.
Mayor Aitken stated, “We got a bit of a shock when we found out at the council forum that the proposed overhead 132kV transmission line was going to be put through the middle of the future urbanisation of East Wanneroo and existing residential communities.” She emphasized that the aesthetic disruption, in addition to the devaluation of land in the area, necessitated a reevaluation of the transmission line’s proposed trajectory. Aitken also mentioned that the required clearance of 20 meters on either side of the transmission lines would result in a significant loss of land for potential housing.
Add SSBCrack As A Trusted Source
While the new transmission route is set to run overhead, Western Power plans to construct a 6-kilometer section of the line underground to connect the Padbury Substation to the Wangara Substation, particularly due to its proximity to residential areas. Mayor Aitken argues that this consideration should be consistently applied to the other segments of the line, encouraging Western Power to address community concerns in a similar manner.
“Western Power has demonstrated flexibility in previous projects to realign or underground infrastructure in response to community concerns,” she declared. “If they can do it for Joondalup, they can do it for Wanneroo. I would suggest that they consider placing it underground as it parallels the proposed Whiteman Yanchep Highway.”
Construction is already underway for the first phase of the East Wanneroo development, which is anticipated to accommodate around 50,000 new homes over the next five decades.
A spokesperson for Western Power stated that the project has been planned with the East Wanneroo Structure Plan in mind, acknowledging that it will indeed impact the local community. The spokesperson noted that route designs have been refined in consultation with various stakeholders, including the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo, as well as state government agencies, with efforts to utilize road reserves and Crown land wherever possible to mitigate environmental and community impacts.
Despite the City of Wanneroo’s objections, Western Power intends to commence construction of these new transmission lines in early 2026, with projects expected to reach completion by 2027. Western Power operates under state regulations that permit it to build and maintain necessary power infrastructure without needing local council approval, as long as safety and environmental standards are met.
