❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on bushfires caused by power lines, associated costs, and investment in undergrounding power in bushfire-prone areas. The response provides limited data, citing FESA's records on possible causes and investigation protocols, while deferring other questions.
AnsweredQoN 2375Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In the past decade, how many bushfires have been attributed to overhead power lines?
(2) In the past decade, how much has Western Power paid out in damages after such fires for loss of life, stock and property?
(3) What are the insurance costs for bushfires each year, if coverage is possible?
(4) In the past decade, how much has it cost Western Power to replace power lines and infrastructure destroyed in such fires?
(5) How many crews does Western Power have dedicated to converting overhead power to underground power?
(6) Has any money been allocated in the Royalties for Regions Program or Rural and Regional Development Scheme to put power underground in bushfire-prone areas?
(2) In the past decade, how much has Western Power paid out in damages after such fires for loss of life, stock and property?
(3) What are the insurance costs for bushfires each year, if coverage is possible?
(4) In the past decade, how much has it cost Western Power to replace power lines and infrastructure destroyed in such fires?
(5) How many crews does Western Power have dedicated to converting overhead power to underground power?
(6) Has any money been allocated in the Royalties for Regions Program or Rural and Regional Development Scheme to put power underground in bushfire-prone areas?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 April 2010
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
42 days
(1) Between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2009 the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA) records indicate there have been 73 bushfires across Western Australia where overhead power lines have been identified as a possible cause. Not all of these bushfires have been fully investigated. The electricity provider is notified of all fires where electrical distribution infrastructure is involved or suspected to have caused the fire. A formal investigation of bushfires is only undertaken in instances where the fire has potential for significant property loss; community or environmental impact; or will present a risk to community or firefighter safety.
(2 - 6) Not Applicable to FESA.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(2 - 6) Not Applicable to FESA.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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