What makes the Port different
Built on the flats
When the port was founded in 1837, its land was only just higher than the surrounding tidal flats, and very high tides brought a risk of inundation. Dredged mud and silt later raised the ground by about 3 m.
Houses below the street
Some early houses ended up with ground floors below the new street level, and some still have steps down from the road. Water runs downhill, so these are the homes where floor-level power points and wiring matter most.
A State Heritage Area since 1982
A sizeable part of the town centre was declared a State Heritage Area in May 1982, which limits what can change on the outside of buildings.
Terraces, townhouses and renters
In 2021, 58.4% of occupied homes in the suburb were townhouses, terraces or semi-detached, and 53.7% were rented.
New homes on the waterfront
The first residents moved into Dock One's new townhomes in 2020, part of a project of about 650 homes, following Newport Quays from 2003. Homes this new have modern boards, so the jobs there are usually additions such as solar or a car charger.
The work Port Adelaide homes tend to need
In the heritage streets, the jobs are about getting modern power into old buildings without spoiling them: new circuits threaded through existing walls and ceilings, meter boxes and outside lights placed where the heritage rules allow. Pick an electrician who has done heritage work before, and ask how they'd run the cable before they start.
For landlords, the priority is safety switches on every circuit and a board that isn't decades past its best. If a tenant reports a tingle, SA Power Networks takes the call on 13 13 66, and any fault in the wiring is the landlord's to fix. Electrical work for landlords explains more.
If water gets in during a storm or very high tide
Stay out of the water
Don't walk through water near power points, appliances or the switchboard.
Cut the power if it's safe
Turn off the main switch only if you can reach it from somewhere dry.
Get help
Call the SES on 132 500 for storm or flood damage, or 000 if anyone's in danger.
Have it tested before it's used
A licensed electrician needs to check anything that got wet. If SA Power Networks disconnected the property, it won't reconnect until that's done and you have a certificate of compliance.
Our advice for older Port homes
If your house sits at or below street level, we'd ask an electrician to look at what's lowest: floor-level power points, the laundry, anything in a cellar or under the stairs. Moving a few outlets higher is a small job now, and a much bigger one after a flood.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.