❓ A parliamentary question addresses the allocation of a $3.5 billion upgrade to the South West Interconnected Electricity System, specifically regarding pole-top fire reduction and upgrades to edge-of-grid communities. The Premier's response provides some initial figures but requests further notice for a detailed breakdown.
AnsweredQoN 180Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH WEST INTERCONNECTED ELECTRICITY SYSTEM - EXPANSION
I refer to the government’s plan to spend $3.5 billion over the next four years to upgrade and expand the south west interconnected electricity system. (1) How much of that $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires? (2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the government’s plan to spend $3.5 billion over the next four years to upgrade and expand the south west interconnected electricity system. (1) How much of that $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires? (2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(1) How much of that $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires? (2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(1) How much of that $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires? (2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(2) If this money will be used to fund the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power, as stated in the Minister for Energy’s press release of 22 April, will any of those funds be directed to upgrade edge-of-grid communities, such as Ravensthorpe? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question, and I hope he is in good health. It is good to see that he is well enough to be back here. (1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
(1) This is an interesting question, because it is arguable, perhaps, that the entire $3.5 billion will go towards reducing the incidence of pole-top fires because it will go towards improving the network across-the-board. To actually break down the individual components of that $3.5 billion and say how much of that money will be specifically allocated to reducing the incidence of pole-top fires is a subjective process. If the member would put the question on notice, I will give him a better breakdown. However, in the meantime, I will give the member the information that has been provided to me for the member’s question, notice of which arrived at lunchtime. Western Power is in year one of its three-year regulatory cycle. The Economic Regulation Authority has given Western Power approval to spend $14.5 million on specific programs such as line washing and silicone coating pole-top equipment on the grid. That is just for those two individual components of what will be a broader program aimed at reinforcing the network and reducing the likelihood and incidence of pole-top fires. However, I do not believe that information is sufficient or complete; so, if the member would put that question on notice as well, I will get more detail about that particular component. (2) The answer to this question is, of course, yes. I recall the debate in this chamber about the disaggregation of Western Power, and about the ratios of spending between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Those ratios were quite significant. Western Power’s works program identifies capital and operating expenditure projects and programs for the metropolitan and regional areas of the south west interconnected system. Regional investment comprises approximately 46 per cent of the total expenditure, and includes expenditure on improving the power supply for communities at the edge of the grid.
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