A parliamentary question regarding Western Power's obligations and practices concerning overhead power lines on private land, specifically the Sanders' property in Bridgetown, and the cost differences between overhead and underground power lines.

AnsweredQoN 145Legislative Council
Asked
1 August 2001
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does Western Power acknowledge that it has social, economic and ethical obligations, as well as legal obligations, to private landowners when crossing their properties with overhead power lines?
(2) What are the relative costs of construction of -
(a) overheads; and
(b) underground power supplies in urban as well as rural areas?
(3) Is the Minister aware of the refusal of Western Power to construct underground power lines across Mr and Mrs Sanders’ property in Bridgetown when it will place the power line underground across the neighbouring property which contains a tree plantation?
(4) Why does Western Power apply no economic value to the pastured land on the Sanders’ property, thereby insisting on the power lines being placed overhead and paying no compensation?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 August 2001
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
27 days
(b) underground power supplies in urban as well as rural areas?
In many cases, particularly in the country, there is no option but to build overhead distribution lines across privately-owned land. The ability to do this is supported by legislation. Western Power has fulfilled all its legal obligations in respect to constructing a line across Mr and Mrs Sanders' property. 2) The cost of constructing underground lines is approximately 2 to 3 times that of overhead, depending on local conditions. 3) Western Power is prepared to construct an underground power line across Mr and Mrs Sanders property provided they meet the additional cost. This offer has been made to the Sanders. Where the line crosses a neighbouring plantation, Western Power will construct an underground line on the basis that this is cheaper than paying compensation for loss of production. 4) The installation of an overhead line does not affect the use of pastureland and does not result in loss of production.
2) The cost of constructing underground lines is approximately 2 to 3 times that of overhead, depending on local conditions. 3) Western Power is prepared to construct an underground power line across Mr and Mrs Sanders property provided they meet the additional cost. This offer has been made to the Sanders. Where the line crosses a neighbouring plantation, Western Power will construct an underground line on the basis that this is cheaper than paying compensation for loss of production. 4) The installation of an overhead line does not affect the use of pastureland and does not result in loss of production.
3) Western Power is prepared to construct an underground power line across Mr and Mrs Sanders property provided they meet the additional cost. This offer has been made to the Sanders. Where the line crosses a neighbouring plantation, Western Power will construct an underground line on the basis that this is cheaper than paying compensation for loss of production. 4) The installation of an overhead line does not affect the use of pastureland and does not result in loss of production.
Where the line crosses a neighbouring plantation, Western Power will construct an underground line on the basis that this is cheaper than paying compensation for loss of production. 4) The installation of an overhead line does not affect the use of pastureland and does not result in loss of production.
4) The installation of an overhead line does not affect the use of pastureland and does not result in loss of production.

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