Perth Streetlight Replacement - City Bylaws

Utilities and Infrastructure Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia residents can request replacement or repair of public streetlights through the local council process and the network owner. This guide explains who is responsible, how to report a faulty or damaged streetlight, what enforcement powers and penalties may apply under local laws, and the practical steps to get a light replaced. It is written for householders and small businesses in the Perth local government area and focuses on municipal roles, reporting channels and likely timelines rather than private electrical work or meter issues.

Report faults promptly to help safety and security in your street.

Who is responsible

Responsibility for streetlighting in Perth is typically shared between the City of Perth (local government) for asset requests and the electricity network owner for repairs and replacements of poles and luminaires. For legal powers and review rights, the Local Government Act and the City of Perth local laws govern council decisions and enforcement.

How to report a streetlight issue

  • Contact the City of Perth customer service to report location and fault details.
  • If the light is owned by the electricity network, report to the network owner or outage line with pole number and nearest address.
  • Provide clear details: pole or lamp number, nearest street address, description (flickering, broken, leaning pole) and any safety hazard.
Include pole or asset numbers if visible to speed up repairs.

Penalties & Enforcement

This section summarises enforcement authorities and possible sanctions where bylaw or council-controlled lighting requirements are breached or where private works affect public lights.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to repair, restoration notices, removal of unauthorised fixtures, and court action are available remedies under local government powers; specific non-monetary measures are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Enforcers: City of Perth Infrastructure/By-law Enforcement and the electricity network owner (asset manager) inspect and manage compliance, and accept reports from the public.
  • Appeal and review: internal review or statutory review rights under state legislation may apply; exact time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Defences/discretion: councils commonly exercise discretion for legitimate temporary works, safety reasons or where a permit/consent applies; specific reasonable excuse wording is not specified on the cited pages.

Common violations and typical responses:

  • Unauthorised attachments to poles — council or network owner may require removal and remedial work.
  • Damage from vehicle impact — repair orders and insurance recovery processes may follow.
  • Private construction interfering with public lighting — stop-work notices or rectification directions can be issued.

Applications & Forms

The typical route for residents is an online report or contact form with the City of Perth or a direct report to the network owner. No specific permit for a standard streetlight replacement request is required from residents; if a formal application form is used by the council or network owner it is published on their official site. Where fees, forms or deadlines apply for specific works or developer-initiated changes, those are set out on the council or network owner pages and are not specified here.

Action steps to request replacement

  • Confirm the exact location and take a photo if safe to do so.
  • Report the fault to the City of Perth customer service or via the council report tool.
  • If known, report to the electricity network owner with pole/asset number for faster response.
  • Note the report reference and follow up with the council if the issue is not addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
Keep your report reference and time stamps for any follow-up or complaint.

FAQ

Who fixes a broken streetlight in Perth?
The network owner (electricity provider) usually repairs lights; the City of Perth coordinates requests and reports from residents.
Do I pay for a streetlight replacement outside my property?
Residents are not generally charged for public streetlight repairs; fees for altered or upgraded lighting under development works depend on council policy.
How long does replacement usually take?
Timelines vary by urgency, network priorities and weather; specific target repair times are not specified on the cited pages.

How-To

  1. Identify the exact location, pole number and take a clear photo if safe.
  2. Use the City of Perth online report form or phone line to submit the fault report with all details.
  3. If the network owner is separate, also report the fault to their outage/streetlight line with the same details.
  4. Record the reference number, monitor updates, and if unresolved, escalate to council by-law or infrastructure contacts.

Key Takeaways

  • Report faults promptly with pole numbers and photos to speed repairs.
  • The City of Perth and the electricity network owner share responsibilities; contact both if unsure.

Help and Support / Resources

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