❓ A parliamentary question addresses the use of native hardwood logs by Western Power for power poles, considering the Busselton Jetty's timber shortage and the Premier's focus on high value-added uses for native timbers. The response clarifies Western Power's sourcing policies and challenges.
AnsweredQoN 606Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I advised the Premier last week that the Busselton Jetty committee was experiencing a shortage of native hardwood logs for its jetty reconstruction works, and in response he advised that as many as possible of the State’s unique native timbers now go into high value-added uses. (1) Does Western Power have a policy of using native hardwood logs as power poles to meet its future needs; and, if so, how many poles will it need as part of its $1.8 billion upgrade of power supplies in the next four years? (2) Is the corporation finding it difficult to access suitable logs for use as power poles from native forests; and, if yes, does it have plans to use alternative materials such as steel or concrete? (3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(1) Does Western Power have a policy of using native hardwood logs as power poles to meet its future needs; and, if so, how many poles will it need as part of its $1.8 billion upgrade of power supplies in the next four years? (2) Is the corporation finding it difficult to access suitable logs for use as power poles from native forests; and, if yes, does it have plans to use alternative materials such as steel or concrete? (3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(2) Is the corporation finding it difficult to access suitable logs for use as power poles from native forests; and, if yes, does it have plans to use alternative materials such as steel or concrete? (3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(1) Does Western Power have a policy of using native hardwood logs as power poles to meet its future needs; and, if so, how many poles will it need as part of its $1.8 billion upgrade of power supplies in the next four years? (2) Is the corporation finding it difficult to access suitable logs for use as power poles from native forests; and, if yes, does it have plans to use alternative materials such as steel or concrete? (3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(2) Is the corporation finding it difficult to access suitable logs for use as power poles from native forests; and, if yes, does it have plans to use alternative materials such as steel or concrete? (3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(3) If no to (2), does Western Power have a special contractual arrangement with the Forest Products Commission to supply it with logs at the expense of groups such as the Busselton Jetty committee? (4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(4) Will the minister advise what value adding Western Power provides to its native hardwood logs so that the corporation’s use of these logs is consistent with the Premier’s statement last week? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have the following advice from Western Power - (1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(1) Western Power Corporation has no formal policy on sourcing native hardwood logs for power poles. WPC’s technical specification for power poles specifies other hardwood or softwood species that meet quality and performance standards. WPC estimates that it will use up to 8 000 poles a year in the next four years. The poles will be of various sizes and types, including steel and concrete construction. (2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(2) WPC has found it increasingly difficult to source the volume of hardwood poles required from local forests to meet the State’s predicted future needs. WPC is now accepting Western Australian plantation pine poles, a softwood species, which satisfy our technical specification. Cost-effective non-wood alternatives are the subject of ongoing research both locally and at an industry level across Australia. Additionally, the State Government’s retrospective undergrounding program is eliminating the need to use pole structures. (3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(3) WPC has no special contractual arrangements with the Forest Products Commission and is currently investigating sourcing wooden power poles from various private sector sources. (4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
(4) WPC’s power system network provides an essential service that underpins the economic development of the State.
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