❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about the relocation of high-tension powerlines near East Canning Vale Primary School, focusing on potential health risks and the Department of Education's policy. The Minister's response aims to alleviate these concerns.
AnsweredQoN 740Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Why has the Department of Education made an agreement to allow 132 kilovolt transmission lines to be moved from a private development and relocated on an alignment that passes along two sides of the East Canning Vale Primary School? (2) Is the Minister for Education aware that children at the school will be subjected to electromagnetic fields measuring five to 10 milligauss and that studies have linked a twofold increase in childhood leukemia to children exposed to prolonged exposures of EMFs above 4mG? (3) What steps will the Minister for Education take to protect children with pacemaker heart machines who are expected to attend the school? (4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(2) Is the Minister for Education aware that children at the school will be subjected to electromagnetic fields measuring five to 10 milligauss and that studies have linked a twofold increase in childhood leukemia to children exposed to prolonged exposures of EMFs above 4mG? (3) What steps will the Minister for Education take to protect children with pacemaker heart machines who are expected to attend the school? (4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(3) What steps will the Minister for Education take to protect children with pacemaker heart machines who are expected to attend the school? (4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(2) Is the Minister for Education aware that children at the school will be subjected to electromagnetic fields measuring five to 10 milligauss and that studies have linked a twofold increase in childhood leukemia to children exposed to prolonged exposures of EMFs above 4mG? (3) What steps will the Minister for Education take to protect children with pacemaker heart machines who are expected to attend the school? (4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(3) What steps will the Minister for Education take to protect children with pacemaker heart machines who are expected to attend the school? (4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(4) What are the benefits for the school in assisting a private developer to improve the value of its land by relocating the high-tension powerlines onto the school? (5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(5) Is the Minister for Education aware that Western Power has a policy to not build new high-tension powerlines near schools? (6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(6) Can the Minister for Education inform the House what is the Department of Education’s policy regarding the location of high-tension powerlines near schools? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(1) The realignment of the transmission lines, which is within the road reserves adjacent to the school, was proposed by Western Power and the land developer. (2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(2) No. The distance between the proposed realignment of the transmission lines and the school buildings is significantly greater than the generally accepted minimum setback distances and presents no health risks to students or teachers. (3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(3) While there is no health risk to children attending this school, parents of children with pacemakers will have their concerns addressed on a case-by-case basis. (4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(4) It is normal practice for transmission lines to be located within the road reserves in suburban residential developments. The transmission lines will not be located on the East Canning Vale Primary School site. (5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(5) Western Power has a policy of “prudent avoidance”, which mentions neither schools, hospitals, nor private residences. (6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
(6) The Department of Education has a policy which ensures that transmission lines are not located on school sites. However, it is normal practice for these lines to be located within the road reserves adjacent to schools.
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