A WA parliamentary question addresses bushfire preparedness, specifically regarding Western Power's equipment and vegetation management. The response outlines planned actions including risk assessment trials, partnership agreements, and code of practice development.

AnsweredQoN 1212Legislative Council
Asked
26 November 2009
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

“REVIEW OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S BUSHFIRE PREPAREDNESS” REPORT — ECONOMIC REGULATION AUTHORITY
I refer to the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” dated April 2009 and, in particular, reference to the Economic Regulation Authority’s consideration of whether expenditure on mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the likelihood of Western Power equipment is prudent. (1) Has that consideration been completed; and, if so, what is the planned investment, if any, and over what period? (2) Has the Western Power Vegetation Near Power Lines Committee met to address the risk of fire and vegetation below or near powerlines? (3) If yes, has the committee outlined a program for future action and what is it? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(1) Has that consideration been completed; and, if so, what is the planned investment, if any, and over what period? (2) Has the Western Power Vegetation Near Power Lines Committee met to address the risk of fire and vegetation below or near powerlines? (3) If yes, has the committee outlined a program for future action and what is it? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(2) Has the Western Power Vegetation Near Power Lines Committee met to address the risk of fire and vegetation below or near powerlines? (3) If yes, has the committee outlined a program for future action and what is it? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(3) If yes, has the committee outlined a program for future action and what is it? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(1) The Economic Regulation Authority will respond by 4 December 2009 in its final decision on Western Power’s proposed revisions to its access arrangement. (2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(2) Yes (3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.
(3) Planned future action includes trial of a new risk assessment process for overhanging trees near powerlines; the development of a partnership agreement between Western Power and local government to develop clear accountabilities and communication regarding trees and powerlines; the completion of a draft vegetation code of practice and amendments to the Electricity Act 1945 regarding management of vegetation near powerlines; and a review by Western Power of training for vegetation work near powerlines.

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