Somerville, from orchards to estates
Estates from the late 1980s
Housing estates including Wellington Road and Highfield Way were created in the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s, and the residential area is still expanding, with newer estates further south.
Family homes, few renters
At the 2021 Census, 82.3% of Somerville's homes were separate houses. 47.5% were owned with a mortgage and just 16.0% were rented.
Storms reach here too
On 7 January 2015 a storm ravaged Somerville and Tyabb and ripped the roof off the Mechanics' Hall. Somerville SES logged 14 calls in the June 2021 storm.
Two United Energy zone substations
United Energy's planning report says Somerville is supplied from its Hastings and Frankston South zone substations. Outages and fallen lines go to 13 20 99.
Which smoke alarm rule applies to your Somerville house?
| Built before 1 August 1997 | Built after 1 August 1997 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum alarm type | Standalone, battery-powered alarms | Alarms connected to 240-volt mains power, with a backup battery |
| Who can replace them | You can fit battery alarms and change batteries | A licensed electrician, because they're hardwired |
| If you renovate heavily | Newer rules can apply, including interconnection after 1 May 2014 | Interconnection applies to homes built or largely renovated after 1 May 2014 |
| When to replace | Every ten years, Fire Rescue Victoria advises | Every ten years, Fire Rescue Victoria advises |
Other jobs Somerville homes ask for
Extensions. A new family room or bedroom wing means new circuits, and often a bigger switchboard. A large renovation can also bring in the interconnected alarm rule.
Sheds and outbuildings. Power to a shed or workshop needs a properly sized cable and its own protection at the switchboard. It's licensed work from start to finish.
EV chargers. With driveways and garages the norm, home charging is straightforward. United Energy registers home chargers as load-only connections.
If it were our Somerville house
We'd check the date stamped on each smoke alarm first. In a 1990s estate home, the originals are long past ten years. If they're hardwired, we'd have an electrician replace them with an interconnected set, and use the same visit to look at the switchboard before any extension or charger goes in.
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.