On Saturday, 18th October 2008 Western Power announced ‘Powering Perth’s Communities’ in which it outlined the formation of a focus group to work with Western Power to determine the outcome of Phase 1 (the tie –in) of the Eastern Terminal project.  The advertisement directs readers to the Western Power website for further information and a nomination form for membership of the focus group. Applications close on 31st October 2008.

The SETS group wishes to protest in the strongest possible terms that this latest announcement has occurred without any agreement as to the engagement model, as promised in Mark De Laeter's presentation to the Kalamunda Shire at the Planning Council meeting on 11th August, attended by 80 community members.

Are you feeling confused?  You should be.

1. The "Gantry" appears to have been renamed.  It seems to be referred to as a "tie-in" (Phase 1), requiring a "focus group". In a similar fashion the Eastern Terminal "Substation" was apparently downgraded to a "switchyard".
2. The process of determining where the Eastern Terminal "switchyard" will go now appears to be referred to as the "Powering Perth's Communities" project. As documented on this website, for over 20 years, Western Power have always planned to put an Eastern Terminal in Hackett's Gully, Kalamunda.  Their current website states that their plans are still to upgrade the transmission line from Collie to the Kalamunda area.

So the situation is predominately the same, but this time with no detail.

What should we NOT do as a community?

We should NOT accept Western Power's invitation to be part of their "Focus Group". 

The Corporation has no right to ask you such personal questions in order for you to join their focus group. 

The Corporation has no right to require you to sign an undertaking to work with Western Power to determine the best solution for Phase 1 of the ‘Powering Perth’s Communities’ project, when it is unclear that Phase 1 is the right solution. This clearly excludes most of the 600 community members who submitted objections to Western Power’s ‘Site Selection Process’ paper in the failed first round of consultation.

Your alarm bells should be ringing.

What can we DO as a community?

The most important thing you can do is to write or visit your local or State MP, to express your concern.  Politicians receive lots of emails and letters.  When a local voter takes the time to meet for a face-to-face visit, then they are much more likely to listen - especially considering our recent State election.