❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions Horizon Power about measures to protect cashless welfare card users from power outage impacts in Kununurra, particularly during the wet season. The Minister assures upgrades and processes are in place to prevent disconnection.
AnsweredQoN 951Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HORIZON POWER — POWER OUTAGES — CASHLESS DEBIT CARD
951. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Leader of the
House representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to power outages experienced by residents and businesses
yesterday in Kununurra.
(1) What measures does Horizon Power have in
place to ensure that people using the cashless welfare card are not affected by
power outages?
(2) What measures are in place to ensure
that people using the cashless welfare card will not be adversely affected by
power outages during the upcoming wet season?
(3) Is Horizon Power working with state and
federal agencies overseeing the cashless welfare card trial in the East
Kimberley to find a solution to this problem?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
951. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Leader of the
House representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to power outages experienced by residents and businesses
yesterday in Kununurra.
(1) What measures does Horizon Power have in
place to ensure that people using the cashless welfare card are not affected by
power outages?
(2) What measures are in place to ensure
that people using the cashless welfare card will not be adversely affected by
power outages during the upcoming wet season?
(3) Is Horizon Power working with state and
federal agencies overseeing the cashless welfare card trial in the East
Kimberley to find a solution to this problem?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Horizon Power has a process in place to
prevent disconnection of any prepayment customer, who may or may not be
cashless welfare card holders, in the event that they are unable to apply
additional credit to their account due to a power outage. This process has been
enabled by the investment in advanced metering and has protection that ensures
that customers are not unnecessarily disconnected.
(2) Horizon Power and the state government
have invested $11.5 million in the last 12 months to upgrade the Kununurra
backup power station. This will see unplanned outages as a result of weather
and generation issues significantly decrease. The aforementioned process will
continue in the event that prepayment customers, including those who pay via
the cashless welfare card, are unable to top up their power accounts.
(3) There is no special requirement for
engagement with federal and state government agencies for this system to work.
However, Horizon Power is committed to continuous improvement in its service
area and works with state and federal government agencies to facilitate this.
(4) Not applicable.
(1) Horizon Power has a process in place to
prevent disconnection of any prepayment customer, who may or may not be
cashless welfare card holders, in the event that they are unable to apply
additional credit to their account due to a power outage. This process has been
enabled by the investment in advanced metering and has protection that ensures
that customers are not unnecessarily disconnected.
(2) Horizon Power and the state government
have invested $11.5 million in the last 12 months to upgrade the Kununurra
backup power station. This will see unplanned outages as a result of weather
and generation issues significantly decrease. The aforementioned process will
continue in the event that prepayment customers, including those who pay via
the cashless welfare card, are unable to top up their power accounts.
(3) There is no special requirement for
engagement with federal and state government agencies for this system to work.
However, Horizon Power is committed to continuous improvement in its service
area and works with state and federal government agencies to facilitate this.
(4) Not applicable.
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