Poles come down in undergrounding project

Since the project began in 2004, Nightcliff has been fully undergrounded and works in Rapid Creek and Millner are nearing completion.

In Rapid Creek 647 customers have been connected to underground power and 349 power poles have been removed. Power poles are progressively removed (weather permitting) as customers are switched over to the new underground system. The whole street must be connected to the underground power system before poles can be removed. There are 240 power poles remaining to be removed in Rapid Creek (and 149 service poles that connect individual homes to power).

The changeover to the underground network is scheduled for completion by the end of December. All overhead conductors in Rapid Creek have been removed.

Due mainly to property access issues, there are 18 residences still to be changed over to underground, however all works have been completed to facilitate the changeover. High voltage commissioning and testing has been completed, all low voltage circuits are energised and commissioning of the new high and low voltage underground mains is continuing.

In Millner 223 customers have been connected to underground power and three substations have been commissioned.

There are 422 properties still to be changed over. This will happen at a rate of about 30 to 40 per day once another 10 substations are commissioned.

Commissioning of the new high and low voltage underground mains is proceeding. Power poles will be progressively removed commencing in the new year, weather permitting.

Power and Water first began undergrounding power works in May 2004 in Nightcliff, under the Northern Territory Government’s commitment to underground powerlines in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

Undergrounding powerlines lowers the likelihood of power outages in storms, preventing those caused by falling branches and lightning strikes or animals touching the lines and causing the system to short circuit.

Reliability of supply and the life expectancy of the lines is expected to increase dramatically. Removing the powerpoles and overhead powerlines also improves the aesthetics of the streetscape.

The undergrounding project is overseen by Power and Water and managed by a Managing Contractor (Nilsen NT) who is responsible for the design, procurement and construction components and managing the subcontractors carrying out the work.

For more information see Undergrounding Power Project.