❓ Question regarding the establishment of building protection zones around critical assets in high bushfire-risk areas by Horizon Power, Verve Energy, Synergy, and Western Power, following Premier's Circular 2012-02. Responses indicate varying levels of compliance and challenges.
AnsweredQoN 920Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HORIZON
POWER, VERVE ENERGY, SYNERGY AND WESTERN POWER — BUILDING PROTECTION
ZONES
920. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Premier's Circular 2012–02.
(1) Have
building protection zones been established around the critical assets in high
bushfire-risk areas for Horizon Power, Verve Energy, Synergy and Western Power?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to
(1), has any agency failed to improve existing building protection zones as
recommended in the Premier's circular?
(4) If yes to (3), why have no
improvements been made?
POWER, VERVE ENERGY, SYNERGY AND WESTERN POWER — BUILDING PROTECTION
ZONES
920. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Premier's Circular 2012–02.
(1) Have
building protection zones been established around the critical assets in high
bushfire-risk areas for Horizon Power, Verve Energy, Synergy and Western Power?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to
(1), has any agency failed to improve existing building protection zones as
recommended in the Premier's circular?
(4) If yes to (3), why have no
improvements been made?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. In relation to Synergy —
(l) No.
(2) Synergy's
office is located in the central business district of Perth, on Adelaide
Terrace, which is not a high bushfire-risk area.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Western Power —
(1) No.
(2) Western Power
ensures clearances around its poles, wires and other assets in accordance with
the requirements of EnergySafety. Western Power also establishes firebreaks
near its assets according to the requirements of the Fire and Emergency
Services Authority. Because of physical space restrictions in some areas—for
example residential areas—Western Power cannot provide a 20-metre
protection zone for all of its assets. This is particularly the case when
Western Power does not own the adjacent land.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Horizon Power —
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) No.
(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Verve Energy —
(1) Each of
Verve Energy's power stations has its own extensive bushfire mitigation
strategy. The organisation is currently reviewing each of these strategies
against the recommendations in Premier's Circular 2012–02.
(2)–(4) Please refer to answer (1).
question. In relation to Synergy —
(l) No.
(2) Synergy's
office is located in the central business district of Perth, on Adelaide
Terrace, which is not a high bushfire-risk area.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Western Power —
(1) No.
(2) Western Power
ensures clearances around its poles, wires and other assets in accordance with
the requirements of EnergySafety. Western Power also establishes firebreaks
near its assets according to the requirements of the Fire and Emergency
Services Authority. Because of physical space restrictions in some areas—for
example residential areas—Western Power cannot provide a 20-metre
protection zone for all of its assets. This is particularly the case when
Western Power does not own the adjacent land.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Horizon Power —
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) No.
(4) Not applicable.
In relation to Verve Energy —
(1) Each of
Verve Energy's power stations has its own extensive bushfire mitigation
strategy. The organisation is currently reviewing each of these strategies
against the recommendations in Premier's Circular 2012–02.
(2)–(4) Please refer to answer (1).
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