This parliamentary question scrutinises the roles of 40 FTE staff at Western Power involved in undergrounding programs, specifically questioning their functions given that private contractors handle design and construction, and their responsibilities beyond the Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP).

AnsweredQoN 2149Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 May 2026
Portfolio
Energy and Decarbonisation

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) and Question on Notice 1941, and I ask:(a) Given "private contractors are generally engaged for project design and construction", what is the role of the 40 FTE staff at Western Power engaged in undergrounding programs; and(b) What are the non-TUPP responsibilities of these 40 FTE staff?
I refer to the Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) and Question on Notice 1941, and I ask:
(a) Given "private contractors are generally engaged for project design and construction", what is the role of the 40 FTE staff at Western Power engaged in undergrounding programs; and
(b) What are the non-TUPP responsibilities of these 40 FTE staff?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 June 2026
Responded by
Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Response time
9 days
(a)-(b)
Western Power staff perform the client-side functions including program management and reporting, project scoping, funding approvals, project and contract management, Local Government and community engagement, safety/quality/technical assurance, and project close-out.
In addition to TUPP, these FTE support other underground power programs.

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