Richmond's houses and network
Cottages and terraces
Single-fronted Victorian houses on long blocks fill the older streets. The bluestone terraces at 13 and 15 James Street, built in 1857, are among Melbourne's oldest homes.
Apartments and renters
At the 2021 Census, 53.0% of homes were flats or apartments, 30.7% terraces, townhouses or semi-detached, and 54.7% were rented.
Heritage almost everywhere
In 2017 Yarra said about two thirds of its properties were under a heritage overlay, more than any other Victorian council.
CitiPower's older equipment
CitiPower's Richmond zone substation supplies Richmond, Cremorne, South Yarra and Toorak, with over 6,300 customers. Its 22 kV switchboard dates from the late 1940s and is due for retirement in 2026.
Flood history
In the 1934 floods, about 800 people in Richmond were reported homeless.
Rewiring a Richmond cottage
A cottage this old can hold several generations of wiring, from old cable with rubber or fabric insulation to modern cable, joined wherever someone needed a new point.
Long, narrow blocks mean long cable runs from the meter at the front to a kitchen or studio at the back. Cable size matters when you add an induction cooktop, a heat pump or a car charger at the rear, so get the run assessed first.
Many homes still have an overhead service line from the street. If CitiPower finds a defect on your side of the connection, like a loose or missing service hook or a tree too close to the line, you'll get a defect notice and must arrange the repair.
Solar and heritage overlays
Yarra's heritage plan only exempts solar panels on roofs facing the street or a side street if they're flush with the roof, don't cross the ridge, aren't on a verandah or bay window, and the roof has no turret, tower, spire or dormer. Otherwise you may need a permit, so check before you sign a solar quote.
If it were our cottage
We'd start with a full inspection and a plan, not a single fix. Knowing what's in the walls lets an electrician rewire in a sensible order, often room by room, and put the new board where it suits both the house and the heritage rules.
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.