❓ Hon Darren West questions the Minister for Energy regarding Western Power poles in Geraldton being too close to the road, referencing a past fatality and seeking confirmation of government responsibility. The Minister clarifies Western Power's position, placing responsibility for relocation costs on third parties who widen roads.
AnsweredQoN 679Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Western Power infrastructure in Geraldton involved in a car crash on 15 November 2013, and Chief Executive Paul Italiano's previous claims of responsibility for assets involved in fatalities, and ask: (a) can the Minister for Energy confirm that poles around Geraldton are frequently less than 70cms away from the road, in breach of the standard required by Western Power; (b) how many Western Power poles in Geraldton breach the 70cm minimum distance, and if that information is unavailable, will the Minister for Energy undertake to find out as a matter of urgency; and (c) given Western Power's acceptance of responsibility for the role their assets played in the death of Amber Finch in 2011, will the Minister for Energy confirm the Government has a clear duty of care to replace these poles around the Geraldton central business district?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2014
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
75 days
(a) Western Power has advised 130 out of 529 poles in the Geraldton central business district are less than 0.7m from the road. The poles in Durlacher Street were originally installed further from the road edge however subsequent widening of the road has reduced this distance. It is the responsibility of any third party constructing or widening a road to contact Western Power and fund the cost of relocating any affected power poles.
(b) See answer to (a).
(c) As infrastructure across the state is changed to meet demand, it is the responsibility of all parties to consider and mitigate safety risks. In the case of Durlacher Street, it is clearly the responsibility of the relevant third parties to fund the costs of relocating any affected power poles. Western Power will work with the City of Geraldton to provide design options and costs associated with moving these assets
(b) See answer to (a).
(c) As infrastructure across the state is changed to meet demand, it is the responsibility of all parties to consider and mitigate safety risks. In the case of Durlacher Street, it is clearly the responsibility of the relevant third parties to fund the costs of relocating any affected power poles. Western Power will work with the City of Geraldton to provide design options and costs associated with moving these assets
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