CITY OF STIRLING
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL
24 MARCH 1998
24 July
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM SUBJECT/LOCATION/NAME PAGE
1 QUESTION TIME 0
2* STATE UNDERGROUND POWER PROGRAMME (SUPP) 1
3* UNDERGROUND POWER FINANCING OF RATEPAYER PROPORTION OF COST 4
* - Indicates Separate Attachments submitted with Agenda.
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CIVIC PLACE, STIRLING ON TUESDAY 24 MARCH 1998 AT 6.02PM.
Present: |
Mayor |
Councillor D C Vallelonga JP |
Councillors |
D Boothman, J M Camilleri OAM JP,
| |
Officers |
Chief Executive Officer - M J Wadsworth, Deputy Chief Executive Officer -
| |
Public |
3 | |
Press |
Nil |
APOLOGIES
Councillor R M Willox JP
Councillor G Maio
Councillor A A Spagnolo JP
Executive Manager Community Development - J Glover
DECLARATION OF FINANCIAL INTEREST
Nil
SUBJECT STATE UNDERGROUND POWER PROGRAMME (SUPP)
REPORT Executive Manager Works/Business Units - 19 March 1998
Moved Councillor Clarey, seconded Councillor Stewart
1. That the information contained in the State Underground Power Programme briefing document prepared by the City's Electrical Consultant be RECEIVED.
2. That Council AGREE with the Electrical Consultant's recommendations regarding the areas of the City selected for resident survey as part of the State Underground Power Programme Major Residential projects namely (in priority order):
· Mount Lawley
· Woodlands/Doubleview
· Hamersley, Carine, Karrinyup
· Balcatta
· Tuart Hill/Yokine
3. That the resident survey for round one applications (closing on 30 April 1998) be UNDERTAKEN in the first three priority areas namely, Mount Lawley, Woodlands/Doubleview and Hamersley/Carine, Karrinyup.
4. That the City APPROACH the Minister for Energy and the Minister for Water Resources regarding special consideration for a joint underground power/sewer infill project for areas of the City where excavation difficulties and/or urban renewal schemes are to be developed including Waterman, North Beach, Trigg and Scarborough/Doubleview.
5. That SUPP funding for Localised Enhancement Projects be SOUGHT for Scarborough Precinct Area of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road, Main Street Precinct, Beaufort Street Precinct, and the New North area.
6. Council, by ABSOLUTE MAJORITY authorise expenditure estimated at $10,000 to conduct the public surveys in the three selected areas with funding from the May Budget Review.
7. That the City REQUEST the Minister for Energy to examine the feasibility of including a special levy to be applied to Western Power tariffs as an additional charge to fund the cost of providing the more widespread implementation of the undergrounding of power.
The motion was put and declared CARRIED by an Absolute Majority.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. That the information contained in the State Underground Power Programme briefing document prepared by the City's Electrical Consultant be RECEIVED.
2. That Council AGREE with the Electrical Consultant's recommendations regarding the areas of the City selected for resident survey as part of the State Underground Power Programme Major Residential projects namely (in priority order):
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(i) Mount Lawley
(ii) Woodlands/Doubleview
(iii) Hamersley, Carine, Karrinyup
(iv) Balcatta
(v) Tuart Hill/Yokine
3. That the resident survey for round one applications (closing on 30 April 1998) be UNDERTAKEN in the first three priority areas namely, Mount Lawley, Woodlands/Doubleview and Hamersley/Carine, Karrinyup.
4. That the City APPROACH the Minister for Energy and the Minister for Water Resources regarding special consideration for a joint underground power/sewer infill project for areas of the City where excavation difficulties and/or urban renewal schemes are to be developed including Waterman, North Beach, Trigg and Scarborough/Doubleview.
5. That SUPP funding for Localised Enhancement Projects be SOUGHT for Scarborough Precinct Area of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road, Main Street Precinct, Beaufort Street Precinct, and the New North area.
6. Council, by ABSOLUTE MAJORITY authorise expenditure estimated at $10,000 to conduct the public surveys in the three selected areas with funding from the May Budget Review.
7. That the City REQUEST the Minister for Energy to examine the feasibility of including a special levy to be applied to Western Power tariffs as an additional charge to fund the cost of providing the more widespread implementation of the undergrounding of power.
NB: ABSOLUTE MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED FOR RECOMMENDATION 6
REPORT PURPOSE
To provide Council with the briefing document prepared by the City's Electrical Consultant and to select areas for resident surveys in preparation for SUPP funding application.
BACKGROUND
At its meeting of 17 March 1998 Council resolved to hold a Special Council Meeting to discuss the State Underground Power Programme to be held on Tuesday 24 March 1998 at 6.00pm.
At its meeting of 3 March 1998 Council resolved (Item 10.1/ED6):
1. That the information regarding the State Underground Power Programme be NOTED.
2. That P & B Engineering Services be APPOINTED as consultants to coordinate the City's State Underground Power Programme submission.
3. That the consultant be appointed TO:
a) Prepare a briefing document for the benefit of elected members and staff to provide a detailed summary of the background, processes and key steps including time schedules, involved in the development and implementation of underground power schemes.
b) Define a selected project area within the City to comply with Western Power's Selection Criteria and to report to Council the basis of the selection, with costs.
c) To assist in preparation of a newsletter and to coordinate a ratepayer survey in the selected project area to confirm ratepayer support.
d) Prepare an application for funding to the State Underground Power Programme.
4. That the financial implications of a successful application to the State Underground Power Programme be REPORTED to the Policy, Corporate Planning, Budget and Finance Committee.
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CURRENT POSITION
P & B Engineering Services have now been engaged and submit their briefing document as requested as in recommendation 3 (a) above (see separate attachment Appendix A). This briefing document clearly outlines the various elements of underground power schemes.
Feasibility studies into which areas of the City would best comply with Western Power's selection criteria are now completed in accordance with recommendation 3 (b) above (see separate attachment Appendix B).
PROJECT AREA SELECTION CRITERIA
The following factors have been determined as influencing the selection of the Project Areas.
1. Age and condition of Western Power's asset - poles, lights, etc.
2. Closeness to electrical substation source or at "edge" of a discrete parcel of land.
3. High voltage supply areas preferred.
4. Clearly defined electrical boundaries.
5. Few high voltage transmission lines.
6. Areas adjacent to existing underground power.
7. Few geological problems - rock, high water table.
8. Ability of ratepayers to contribute to costs.
Other influencing factors
1. Sewer infill programme
2. Local Authority boundary changes
3. Zoning
4. Redevelopment
5. Tree pruning costs
RESIDENT SURVEYS
Applications for SUPP funding close on 30 April 1998. As a survey of residents is a pre-requisite to making the SUPP application, selection of the project areas at this time is essential in order to meet the very short time frames involved.
The purpose of the survey of residents in the selected project area is a public relations exercise designed to explain the undergrounding proposals in a clear and understandable way. The State Government will not participate beyond the initial planning and design phase unless there is convincing evidence that most ratepayers, in the selected area, support the project going ahead.
A sample copy of the questionnaire document used in the City of Melville is attached (Appendix E).
PAYMENT OPTIONS
The questionnaire survey also needs to provide residents with payment options so they can make an informed decision. Payment options used in previous "pilot" schemes have included discounted up front payments, deferred payments, periodic payments and included pensioner discount options.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer will make a presentation of possible funding options available. Western Power could also consider use of a levy applied to domestic electricity tariffs to fund future underground power works.
COSTS
An underground power service comprises two components:
· Network costs ie works in road reserves
· Service costs ie works in properties between front boundary and meter box
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Based on the actual costs incurred in pilot schemes the cost to provide an underground for both the network and service works is in the order of $4,000 per single residence (standard size block).
Cost recovery of 50% of this total cost is to be made by the local authority/ratepayer ie approximately $2,000 per lot.
ADDITIONAL COSTS - Street Lighting
The network costs include standard street lighting poles and lights. If painted poles or special "heritage" poles and fittings are requested then these items will be at additional cost. "Pilot" schemes completed to date in Melville, Cottesloe and Cambridge have used standard fixtures with painted poles - additional cost of $100 per pole.
Reference is also made to the Consultants Briefing Document Section 13 : Street lighting which identifies that additional costs may be incurred if Council requires a higher level of lighting than is currently employed in order to meet Australian Standards although these details need to be clarified with Western Power prior to any decision on this detail.