Epping's homes and power
A substation working hard
AusNet expects its Epping zone substation to run beyond its rating on the hottest summer days, and plans a new Wollert zone substation after 2026 to take load off Epping, Doreen and Kalkallo. AusNet's faults line is 13 17 99, but Jemena (131 626) also supplies parts of Melbourne's north, so check your bill.
1970s streets, then Aurora
Major suburban development began in the 1970s. Vic Urban launched the Aurora estate in 2006, planned for 25,000 people by 2025, with A.V. Jennings' Lyndarum estate between Aurora and Epping Road.
Mostly houses, three in ten rented
At the 2021 Census, 81.2% of occupied homes were separate houses, 17.0% were townhouses or similar and 29.4% were rented.
Old town on high ground
The original township sits on higher ground west of the Darebin Creek, and only the Catholic church stayed on the lower, flood-prone land. Several older buildings are bluestone.
Storms and grassfires
The City of Whittlesea lists strong winds, flash flooding, large hail and lightning as storm hazards, and says homes near grasslands on the urban fringe are more exposed to fast-moving grassfires.
Is your Aurora home from before or after May 2014?
It matters for smoke alarms. Victorian homes built after 1 August 1997 need mains-powered alarms with a backup battery. Homes built or largely renovated after 1 May 2014 that need more than one alarm must also have them interconnected, so they all sound together.
So an early Aurora house may have mains alarms that aren't linked, while a later one should have them interconnected. Either way, Fire Rescue Victoria advises replacing alarms every ten years, and the first Aurora homes have reached that. Read more on interconnected smoke alarms.
Cooling circuits on peak days
If your power trips when the air conditioner kicks in on a scorching afternoon, the circuit or the board is the usual suspect, not the network. An electrician can check whether the unit has its own properly sized circuit and whether the board can carry it. Our tripping troubleshooter helps narrow it down first.
Our take in Epping
In the 1970s streets, we'd get the board checked before the next summer, especially if cooling has been added since the house was built. In Aurora, we'd find out when the smoke alarms went in and replace them if they're past ten years. Both are quick jobs for a licensed electrician.
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.