❓ Question regarding Western Power's response to a storm in Mandurah and alleged lack of cooperation with the State Emergency Service (SES). The Minister defends Western Power's actions and highlights the positive relationship with FESA.
AnsweredQoN 403Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN
POWER — MANDURAH STORM — RESPONSE
403. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the destructive storm that hit Mandurah on Sunday,
10 June 2012, blacking out households in Meadow Springs, Dudley Park, Halls
Head, Coodanup, Falcon, Greenfields, Madora Bay, Wannanup and central Mandurah —
(1) Is the
minister aware of local media reports quoting the Mandurah State Emergency
Service manager saying, ''Our biggest problem was power. Western Power
were being evasive''?
(2) What are the
procedures followed by Western Power for responding to SES requests to have the
power switched off before they go into a house?
(3) Were these
procedures followed during this storm and its aftermath?
(4) Does the
minister concede that Western Power did not work cooperatively with the SES in
Mandurah during this storm?
(5) How will the
minister ensure that the problems caused by Western Power to the SES during
this storm do not occur in the future?
POWER — MANDURAH STORM — RESPONSE
403. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the destructive storm that hit Mandurah on Sunday,
10 June 2012, blacking out households in Meadow Springs, Dudley Park, Halls
Head, Coodanup, Falcon, Greenfields, Madora Bay, Wannanup and central Mandurah —
(1) Is the
minister aware of local media reports quoting the Mandurah State Emergency
Service manager saying, ''Our biggest problem was power. Western Power
were being evasive''?
(2) What are the
procedures followed by Western Power for responding to SES requests to have the
power switched off before they go into a house?
(3) Were these
procedures followed during this storm and its aftermath?
(4) Does the
minister concede that Western Power did not work cooperatively with the SES in
Mandurah during this storm?
(5) How will the
minister ensure that the problems caused by Western Power to the SES during
this storm do not occur in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) I am aware of
one report, not reports in the plural, quoting the Mandurah State Emergency
Service manager. I note that the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is
seeking to clarify the comments made by the SES manager. FESA has subsequently
confirmed the strong and close working relationship it has with Western Power.
FESA regards Western Power's response to this once-in-a-decade storm
event as first-class.
(2) In an
emergency situation the SES call Western Power's emergency response
line and report a hazard. Western Power's control centre staff dispatch
crews to attend to hazards. Since Sunday afternoon, Western Power managed more
than 7 900 network-related incidents and 3 439 hazards.
(3) Yes.
(4) No; Western
Power and FESA worked very effectively through the crisis.
(5) We do not
accept that Western Power caused problems, but it is normal practice that
Western Power and FESA will hold a formal debrief of the storm response to
identify continuous improvement opportunities.
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) I am aware of
one report, not reports in the plural, quoting the Mandurah State Emergency
Service manager. I note that the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is
seeking to clarify the comments made by the SES manager. FESA has subsequently
confirmed the strong and close working relationship it has with Western Power.
FESA regards Western Power's response to this once-in-a-decade storm
event as first-class.
(2) In an
emergency situation the SES call Western Power's emergency response
line and report a hazard. Western Power's control centre staff dispatch
crews to attend to hazards. Since Sunday afternoon, Western Power managed more
than 7 900 network-related incidents and 3 439 hazards.
(3) Yes.
(4) No; Western
Power and FESA worked very effectively through the crisis.
(5) We do not
accept that Western Power caused problems, but it is normal practice that
Western Power and FESA will hold a formal debrief of the storm response to
identify continuous improvement opportunities.
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