❓ Hon. Tom Stephens questions the Minister for Energy regarding Western Power's plans to improve power reliability during cyclones in Broome and other north-west towns, particularly for essential services, and the extension of underground power supplies.
AnsweredQoN 54Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
54. Hon Tom Stephens to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy:
(1) What steps will Western Power take to ensure that Broome, and other north west towns, are better positioned to be able to retain power during cyclones, particularly for essential services (eg. radio broadcasting facilities)?
(2) Specifically -
(a) what steps are being taken in the current financial year; and
(b) what steps will be taken in the financial year 2000-2001,
to extend the coverage of underground power supplies to -
(i) Broome; and
(ii) other north west towns?
(1) What steps will Western Power take to ensure that Broome, and other north west towns, are better positioned to be able to retain power during cyclones, particularly for essential services (eg. radio broadcasting facilities)?
(2) Specifically -
(a) what steps are being taken in the current financial year; and
(b) what steps will be taken in the financial year 2000-2001,
to extend the coverage of underground power supplies to -
(i) Broome; and
(ii) other north west towns?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
98 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) Western Power programmes in place to improve supply reliability during cyclones in
north west towns include:
A network extension policy which requires developers in major towns to ensure
power supplies to new developments are underground.
Generation and network assets are designed and maintained to withstand cyclones.
Annual pre-cyclone season vegetation management programmes are conducted with
residents and town councils in all north west towns.
Networks are configured to maximise supply reliability to essential services.
Disaster recovery plans have been developed in consultation with Local Emergency
Management Advisory Committees to establish priority for restoration of power
supplies to essential services.
Despite all these measures, Western Power is not able to guarantee power
supplies will not be interrupted during cyclones as most failures are due to
wind borne debris or flooding.
It is important that essential services dependant on electricity secure an
adequate emergency standby supply and ensure that this is regularly maintained
and tested.
(2) Western Power requires developers in major north west towns to ensure power
supplies to new developments are installed underground.
Western Power also supports the State Government's Local Enhancement Projects
initiative, which is administered by the Office of Energy. Under this scheme,
Town Councils are invited to submit proposals for power supplies in key interest
areas of their towns to be placed underground. Typically the proposals relate
to main street beautification projects or areas of significance to tourism.
Proposals are reviewed by a steering committee comprised of representatives from
the Office of Energy, WA Municipal Association and Western Power. Currently,
one project has been approved for undergrounding power lines in the main street
and foreshore area at Denham. The next invitation for proposals will be sent to
Councils in August 2001.
(1) Western Power programmes in place to improve supply reliability during cyclones in
north west towns include:
A network extension policy which requires developers in major towns to ensure
power supplies to new developments are underground.
Generation and network assets are designed and maintained to withstand cyclones.
Annual pre-cyclone season vegetation management programmes are conducted with
residents and town councils in all north west towns.
Networks are configured to maximise supply reliability to essential services.
Disaster recovery plans have been developed in consultation with Local Emergency
Management Advisory Committees to establish priority for restoration of power
supplies to essential services.
Despite all these measures, Western Power is not able to guarantee power
supplies will not be interrupted during cyclones as most failures are due to
wind borne debris or flooding.
It is important that essential services dependant on electricity secure an
adequate emergency standby supply and ensure that this is regularly maintained
and tested.
(2) Western Power requires developers in major north west towns to ensure power
supplies to new developments are installed underground.
Western Power also supports the State Government's Local Enhancement Projects
initiative, which is administered by the Office of Energy. Under this scheme,
Town Councils are invited to submit proposals for power supplies in key interest
areas of their towns to be placed underground. Typically the proposals relate
to main street beautification projects or areas of significance to tourism.
Proposals are reviewed by a steering committee comprised of representatives from
the Office of Energy, WA Municipal Association and Western Power. Currently,
one project has been approved for undergrounding power lines in the main street
and foreshore area at Denham. The next invitation for proposals will be sent to
Councils in August 2001.
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