❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the need, location, consultation process, compensation, criteria, alternatives, environmental approvals, and vegetation removal related to a proposed Eastern Terminal substation by Western Power. The response provides details on each of these aspects, including consideration of environmental impacts and community engagement.
AnsweredQoN 2897Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) why is such a facility needed;
(b) what sites are being considered;
(c) how has consultation with local residents been undertaken and in particular:
(i) were individually addressed letters sent to affected residents, or was a generic letter sent; and
(ii) in what newspapers has information about the proposal or related consultation been published;
(d) if power lines pass through private property, is compensation provided;
(e) what are the criteria used in determining the siting of such a terminal substation;
(f) what other alternatives are there to the construction of a terminal substation in the areas referred to above, and are these also being considered;
(g) will Environmental Protection Authority approval be needed; and
(h) if vegetation removal is necessary, what action will be taken to compensate for this?
(b) what sites are being considered;
(c) how has consultation with local residents been undertaken and in particular:
(i) were individually addressed letters sent to affected residents, or was a generic letter sent; and
(ii) in what newspapers has information about the proposal or related consultation been published;
(d) if power lines pass through private property, is compensation provided;
(e) what are the criteria used in determining the siting of such a terminal substation;
(f) what other alternatives are there to the construction of a terminal substation in the areas referred to above, and are these also being considered;
(g) will Environmental Protection Authority approval be needed; and
(h) if vegetation removal is necessary, what action will be taken to compensate for this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 January 2008
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
78 days
Western Power has provided the Minister for Energy with the following response.
(a) The proposed Eastern Terminal substation is planned to improve the reliability and security of the power supplies within the Perth metropolitan area as well as to meet the forecast growth in the demand for electricity in the area.
(b) Western Power has not yet determined a site or sites for consideration but has identified the areas within the Shire of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring and City of Gosnells as the area to be considered.
(c) (i-ii ) Acknowledging the importance of public participation in its projects and community input into the site selection process, Western Power sent every landowner in the study area (over 1000 landowners in total) a personal invitation to attend community information sessions. The wider community was informed and invited to participate via advertisements and public notices in the local community papers such as the Hills Gazette and the Midland Reporter.
(d) Where a transmission line of 200 kV and above directly affects privately owned land Western Power must acquire an estate or interest in that land. The appropriate interest for a transmission line is an easement. Western Power pays monetary compensation to the affected landowner from whom it acquires an easement.
(e) A terminal substation is a necessary part of the electricity network - it provides a node point to interconnect high voltage transmission lines that transport electricity from the power stations to load centres, and as a 'step down' point where voltages are transformed to supply lower voltage zone substations. In locating a terminal substation Western Power considers its ability to connect to the high voltage transmission lines, the cost and the aim of minimising the social and environmental impact. Typically, for effective operation of the power network, substations and terminal stations are required to be in close proximity to areas where the demand for electricity is greatest.
(f) Connecting the proposed new high voltage 330 kV transmission lines from the south west, via the Kalamunda area, directly in to the existing Guildford Terminal substation is the alternative being considered. This option potentially involves considerable environmental impact upon the Kalamunda National Park, the flight paths of the Perth Airport and a number of high density residential areas. It is also more expensive.
(g) Once a preferred site has been determined, Western Power will refer this project to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment and approval.
(h) All new Western Power infrastructure projects that involve clearing of native vegetation require either a clearing permit or a formal environmental assessment. An environmental/vegetation offset would be required if the project caused a net loss of biodiversity. The nature of such an offset would be determined through negotiations with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
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(a) The proposed Eastern Terminal substation is planned to improve the reliability and security of the power supplies within the Perth metropolitan area as well as to meet the forecast growth in the demand for electricity in the area.
(b) Western Power has not yet determined a site or sites for consideration but has identified the areas within the Shire of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring and City of Gosnells as the area to be considered.
(c) (i-ii ) Acknowledging the importance of public participation in its projects and community input into the site selection process, Western Power sent every landowner in the study area (over 1000 landowners in total) a personal invitation to attend community information sessions. The wider community was informed and invited to participate via advertisements and public notices in the local community papers such as the Hills Gazette and the Midland Reporter.
(d) Where a transmission line of 200 kV and above directly affects privately owned land Western Power must acquire an estate or interest in that land. The appropriate interest for a transmission line is an easement. Western Power pays monetary compensation to the affected landowner from whom it acquires an easement.
(e) A terminal substation is a necessary part of the electricity network - it provides a node point to interconnect high voltage transmission lines that transport electricity from the power stations to load centres, and as a 'step down' point where voltages are transformed to supply lower voltage zone substations. In locating a terminal substation Western Power considers its ability to connect to the high voltage transmission lines, the cost and the aim of minimising the social and environmental impact. Typically, for effective operation of the power network, substations and terminal stations are required to be in close proximity to areas where the demand for electricity is greatest.
(f) Connecting the proposed new high voltage 330 kV transmission lines from the south west, via the Kalamunda area, directly in to the existing Guildford Terminal substation is the alternative being considered. This option potentially involves considerable environmental impact upon the Kalamunda National Park, the flight paths of the Perth Airport and a number of high density residential areas. It is also more expensive.
(g) Once a preferred site has been determined, Western Power will refer this project to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment and approval.
(h) All new Western Power infrastructure projects that involve clearing of native vegetation require either a clearing permit or a formal environmental assessment. An environmental/vegetation offset would be required if the project caused a net loss of biodiversity. The nature of such an offset would be determined through negotiations with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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