❓ A parliamentary question regarding the lack of consultation with residents about the erection of large power poles near their homes in Leeming. The Minister acknowledges the issue, explains the necessity of the powerlines, and suggests exploring visual screening options.
AnsweredQoN 405Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the ill-considered decision by Western Power to erect massive power poles adjacent to residences in Leeming. (1) Why were the residents not fully consulted prior to the erection of these 30 to 40 metre high power poles? (2) Will the minister now direct Western Power to relocate these towers away from such a highly developed residential area? (3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(1) Why were the residents not fully consulted prior to the erection of these 30 to 40 metre high power poles? (2) Will the minister now direct Western Power to relocate these towers away from such a highly developed residential area? (3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(2) Will the minister now direct Western Power to relocate these towers away from such a highly developed residential area? (3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(1) Why were the residents not fully consulted prior to the erection of these 30 to 40 metre high power poles? (2) Will the minister now direct Western Power to relocate these towers away from such a highly developed residential area? (3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(2) Will the minister now direct Western Power to relocate these towers away from such a highly developed residential area? (3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(3) If not, why not? (4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(4) Will the minister meet with the residents whose lives have been shattered by this ill-considered decision? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Murdoch for the question. This is one issue that I hoped I would never have to deal with, but I do have to deal with it. This is a very difficult issue. Western Power has chosen a route down the freeway for the 320-kilovolt powerlines. It is the route that has been chosen and it is the route that will remain. What level of community consultation took place is a matter of debate. Western Power asserts that there has been a long process of community consultation. Those affected in the way that the member for Murdoch outlined assert that there has not been. Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.D. McRae interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Riverton has the same issue; in fact, I think the member for Southern River has also raised this matter with me. In the course of the past few weeks, I have tried to get to the bottom of the matter. I have had briefing notes provided to me by Western Power. I have asked for an officer from my office, Mr Brett Sadler, to meet with the residents. I think he has met individually with some of them and is now involved in the process of discussing those issues. Sadly, there is no alternative for this route. Either the powerline goes down the southern corridor or it does not. What will happen if the powerline does not go down there is that there will be a massive problem resulting from the lack of electricity supply to the rapidly growing areas of the southern corridor. That is the circumstance we are confronted with. There is no easy solution. We cannot simply say do not do it or bury the powerlines, because several hundreds of millions of dollars would be involved in that. One of the possibilities that has been raised with me is whether there cannot be some fine realignment of the positioning of the poles along the chosen route. However, in most of the cases, the poles have already been erected, and not a lot can be done about that. A suggestion has been put forward by the member for Riverton, which I have taken up with Western Power, that Western Power should deal directly with the residents to determine what level of visual screening and streetscaping is possible. That is a positive suggestion. Various ministers face this type of conundrum from time to time. When infrastructure such as this is being provided, people are inconvenienced. That is the nature of living in a city that is growing as rapidly as Perth. The power poles are required. It is very regrettable, from my point of view, that the residents feel as though there has not been enough consultation, although I cannot see how the outcome could have been different with consultation. I have looked at the route of the powerlines, why that route is being taken and whether it could be done differently. Apart from some finetuning, as I said, I cannot see how a different outcome could have been delivered. I am grateful to the member for Riverton for his suggestions about streetscaping and screening. As I said in relation to the last part of the member for Murdoch’s question, Brett Sadler from my office has been discussing the matter personally with the residents. He is in the process of meeting with some of them, and perhaps some alleviation of their concerns will result. Other than that, this is a conundrum for which there is no simple solution.
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