❓ Question on Notice regarding potential conflict of interest and subcontracting practices of Western Power's vegetation management contractors. The Minister's response details the process and contractor responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 2995Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) does this supplier perform the inspection role as well as the service provision role; (c) is there a conflict of interest in these two roles; (d) when contacted by householders to perform the work required by Western Power, do they carry this out themselves, or sub-contract it out; (e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(c) is there a conflict of interest in these two roles; (d) when contacted by householders to perform the work required by Western Power, do they carry this out themselves, or sub-contract it out; (e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(d) when contacted by householders to perform the work required by Western Power, do they carry this out themselves, or sub-contract it out; (e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(c) is there a conflict of interest in these two roles; (d) when contacted by householders to perform the work required by Western Power, do they carry this out themselves, or sub-contract it out; (e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(d) when contacted by householders to perform the work required by Western Power, do they carry this out themselves, or sub-contract it out; (e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(e) if it is sub contracted out, is the Minister aware of exactly how many sub-contractors actually perform Western Power required work; and (f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
(f) if the preferred supplier is not actually carrying out the work, why is Western Power providing it with business?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 September 2004
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
89 days
(a)-(f) Western Power has ten contractors undertaking vegetation management in 11 geographical areas across the South West Interconnected System. These contractors undertake vegetation inspections, and cut and prune trees that fall within Western Powers areas of responsibility.
As part of their inspection duties a contractor can issue a notice giving a property owner 30 days to prune or remove vegetation. A further inspection is undertaken at the conclusion of that period, and if no action has taken place a 7-day warning is issued. If at the conclusion of this period the property owner fails to remove vegetation in accordance with the inspection notices, the contractor is then required to remove the vegetation under Western Powers target pruning policy.
Property owners are encouraged to arrange their own vegetation management and pruning by engaging a qualified tree cutter of their choice who has a current Power Line Safety Course certificate. Western Powers policy requires that a contractor may not identify his or her company name on any inspection notice issued, and any contact information provided is to enable a property owner to have any queries answered.
The primary contractor do in some cases utilise sub contractors. The number of sub-contractors who are appropriately certified and continuing in the industry changes. A requirement of the primary contractor's contract is that any sub-contractor is certified and adequately insured. The primary contractor has the responsibility to manage the program in their areas.
As part of their inspection duties a contractor can issue a notice giving a property owner 30 days to prune or remove vegetation. A further inspection is undertaken at the conclusion of that period, and if no action has taken place a 7-day warning is issued. If at the conclusion of this period the property owner fails to remove vegetation in accordance with the inspection notices, the contractor is then required to remove the vegetation under Western Powers target pruning policy.
Property owners are encouraged to arrange their own vegetation management and pruning by engaging a qualified tree cutter of their choice who has a current Power Line Safety Course certificate. Western Powers policy requires that a contractor may not identify his or her company name on any inspection notice issued, and any contact information provided is to enable a property owner to have any queries answered.
The primary contractor do in some cases utilise sub contractors. The number of sub-contractors who are appropriately certified and continuing in the industry changes. A requirement of the primary contractor's contract is that any sub-contractor is certified and adequately insured. The primary contractor has the responsibility to manage the program in their areas.
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