❓ A parliamentary question regarding Western Power's prioritisation of power restoration in rural vs. urban areas, particularly affecting businesses like service stations and dairy farms. The Minister denies urban bias and highlights investment in rural power infrastructure.
AnsweredQoN 297Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
During last Easter’s power outage at Donnybrook and surrounding areas, service station proprietors and farming businesses such as dairies were told by Western Power that it was more important for urban homes to be reconnected first, even though food was being ruined in shops, cows could not be milked and petrol bowsers could not operate, thereby disadvantaging many more people than just the business operators. (1) Can the minister confirm that Western Power has, in fact, such a priority list, with urban areas to be reconnected before rural areas, including rural businesses? (2) Will he instruct Western Power to re-evaluate its priorities so that service-providing businesses such as service stations and vulnerable businesses such as dairy farms are reconnected first, rather than last, in country areas of the State? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(1) Can the minister confirm that Western Power has, in fact, such a priority list, with urban areas to be reconnected before rural areas, including rural businesses? (2) Will he instruct Western Power to re-evaluate its priorities so that service-providing businesses such as service stations and vulnerable businesses such as dairy farms are reconnected first, rather than last, in country areas of the State? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(2) Will he instruct Western Power to re-evaluate its priorities so that service-providing businesses such as service stations and vulnerable businesses such as dairy farms are reconnected first, rather than last, in country areas of the State? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(1) Can the minister confirm that Western Power has, in fact, such a priority list, with urban areas to be reconnected before rural areas, including rural businesses? (2) Will he instruct Western Power to re-evaluate its priorities so that service-providing businesses such as service stations and vulnerable businesses such as dairy farms are reconnected first, rather than last, in country areas of the State? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(2) Will he instruct Western Power to re-evaluate its priorities so that service-providing businesses such as service stations and vulnerable businesses such as dairy farms are reconnected first, rather than last, in country areas of the State? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
I thank the member for Vasse for some notice of the question. (1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(1) I can confirm that Western Power does not have a priority list whereby urban customers have their power restored before country customers. Western Power does have a priority list based on how vital timely restoration of supply is. It is designed to protect the public from issues affecting safety, health, food spoilage, looting and animal suffering. If customers wish to explore the possibility of having their restoration priority elevated, businesses and other customers can approach Western Power through their account managers, if they have one; alternatively, they can write to Western Power. There is a way in which the business customers that the member for Vasse is representing today can approach Western Power to have their circumstances examined. (2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
(2) The member for Merredin was right when he said that the fundamental requirement is to fix the power supply. That is exactly what we are doing with a $400 million additional investment in our network over the next four years, $100 million a year extra into our networks and $1 800 million into the networks over the next four years, including the rural power improvement program. The installation of reclosers and section switches will reduce the number of customers affected by any one fault and will speed up the identification of faults and, therefore, shorten the time taken to remedy the fault. In addition to that program, the investment of $1 800 million will allow more staff to be taken on at the networks. There is a way in which the constituents of the member for Vasse can have their circumstances addressed. This Government is the first for many years to tackle the problem of unreliable power supplies in rural areas.
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