Press release

Western Power’s plan for the conduct of a ‘focus group’ to recommend a site for a ‘tie-in’, which would link with a new 330 kV transmission line from Collie to the Perth Hills, was raised at the Ordinary Council Meeting of the Shire of Kalamunda on 20 October 2008.

At the commencement of the meeting Mr John Davenport, co-convenor of the SETS Group, addressed two questions to Council on this latest Eastern Terminal development. In his preamble Mr Davenport reminded councillors of the assurances given by Western Power’s Mark de Laeter when he addressed Council on 11 August.  These included Western Power conducting an 'open-book' style of consultation with the community based on an agreed engagement model, and a complete re-examination of Western Power’s preference for an Eastern Terminal over alternative options, based on sustainability criteria. Councillors also reviewed documents describing Western Power’s “fresh start” to the Eastern Terminal project, and the intended role and operation of the ‘focus group’.

Mr Davenport pointed out that no terms of reference or venue for the ‘focus group’ were provided, and that representatives of local shires and community groups would only be involved if nominated by the ‘focus group’.  He put the following questions to Council:

1. Has the Shire been involved in any discussions with Western Power to determine an agreed engagement model? – to which the answer was ‘no’.
2. As custodians of the interests of the Kalamunda community and those residents who will be most affected by this proposal, what course of action will the Shire take concerning this matter.

Council determined that this question should immediately be considered as a matter of urgent business.  The following motion* was moved by Cr Frank Lindsey and seconded by Cr Elizabeth Taylor.

That the Council of the Shire of Kalamunda:

1. Records its concern at Western Power’s latest move to call for nominations for a 'focus group' to determine the best solution for Phase 1 of the 'Powering Perth's Communities' project, without any terms of engagement with the community being agreed,
2. Notes that this totally contradicts the undertaking given by Western Power's Mark de Laeter to Council on 11 August 2008, and
3. Authorises the CEO to write to the Hon Peter Collier, Minister for Energy, and to Western Power expressing these views and

(a) Asking how this amounts to an 'open-book' style of engagement
(b) Demanding that discussion occur with the Shire and community to determine an engagement model before any further work is done on Phase 1,
(c) Requesting Western Power to commit to a full re-examination of the choice of Eastern Terminal and alternative options, with the involvement of all stakeholders, and that
(d) Any re-examination of plans for an Eastern Terminal involves the full set of sustainability principles.

The motion was passed unanimously.

* Note that this wording is based on notes taken at the meeting and may not, word for word, accurately reflect the official minutes, which will not be available for 10 days.

Press Release

An action group opposed to Western Power’s proposed Eastern Terminal is outraged at Western Power’s latest attempt at community consultation.  Western Power is currently inviting community members to join a ‘focus group’, which would recommend a site for a ‘tie-in’ to link with a new 330 kV transmission line from Collie to the Perth Hills.

Previously called a ‘gantry” by Western Power, the ‘tie-in’ would constitute a key part of Western Power’s proposals to construct an Eastern Terminal in state forest east of Kalamunda.

The Stop the Eastern Terminal Action Group (SETS Group) is urging community members and organisations NOT to participate in this exercise.

“This latest step totally contradicts assurances given to Kalamunda Shire Council on 11 August by Mark de Laeter, Western Power’s General Manager, Customer Services” said Alan Lonsdale, a spokesperson for the SETS Group.  Mr de Laeter acknowledged that Western Power’s previous community consultation attempts had failed and promised a ‘fresh start’.  As reported in the Hills Gazette on 16 August, the ‘fresh start’ would involve working with the community in ‘open book’ style, and agreement with the community on an ‘engagement model’ for consultation.  Mr de Laeter also stated that “an examination of Western Power’s choice of Eastern Terminal over other alternatives would occur as part of this community consultation process”.  “This latest move by Western Power breaks all these promises”, said Dr Lonsdale.

The SETS group has written to Mr de Laeter protesting “in the strongest possible terms” that this latest announcement has occurred without any agreement on an engagement model.

“This is not a genuine focus group, but a contrived process that would compromise participants”, said Dr Lonsdale.  “Participants would have to sign a declaration that they would abide by conditions set by Western Power, which include assisting Western Power to identify a preferred ‘tie-in’ option.  Members of the ‘focus group’ would be hand picked by Western Power”.  The application form requires applicants to provide extensive personal information including age, education level, interests, membership of social and professional organisations, community involvement, and media usage.

Western Power documents state that successful applicants would receive a paper outlining the options ‘that have been identified to achieve the tie-in, in terms of technical solutions and locations.’  “This clearly contradicts the undertaking Mr de Laeter gave Kalamunda Council and the community for an ‘open book’ review of the choice for all options, including the Eastern Terminal.  Western Power’s previous attempts failed because the community did not trust the integrity of information presented by Western Power about planning assumptions, options and environmental impacts.  The community will again be distrustful if information is shared after options are reviewed. The community must be involved in the review of options from the outset.”

Western Power’s previous attempts at community consultation have been the subject of formal complaints to the WA Ombudsman.  The SETS Group has developed a proposal for community engagement based on international best practice principles and will present this to Western Power representatives on 28 October.  “The Group believes that an essential first step is the establishment of a reference group comprising community and Western Power representatives, which would develop a model for community engagement and then manage the process in an open way”, said Dr Lonsdale.

“The SETS Group is disappointed that Western Power has learnt nothing from the debacle of the first two rounds of community consultation.  This new process merely repeats the gross failings of previous processes.  The community can no longer trust information released by Western Power”.

“While Western Power has chosen the title ‘Powering Perth’s Communities’ for this rebadged process, which is really old wine in new bottles, the reality is that the Corporation is further disempowering the community”, said Dr Lonsdale.

John Davenport of the Stop Eastern Terminal Action Group wrote to local candidates last month to ask them for their positions on Eastern Terminal.  Here are their replies.

Please consider the following letters and emails carefully and draw your own conclusions when deciding who to vote for on Saturday the 6th.

Can't read the pdf's?  See transcripts in plain text.

Read this page for transcripts of the pdfs below.

Candidate	Party	Official Position	Email for further details
Kalamunda
John Day		Plain text version John-Day.pdf (157.31 kb)	john.day@mp.gov.au
Juliana Plummer		Plain text version Juliana-Plummer.pdf (64.17 kb)	juliana.plummer@walabor.org.au
Toni Warden		Plain text version Toni-Warden.pdf (351.09 kb)	toni@toniwarden.com.au Website http://toniwarden.com.au
Darling Range
Tony Simpson		Plain text version Tony-Simpson.pdf (153.79 kb)	sjoffice@mp.wa.gov.au
Lisa Griffith		NO REPLY (see update below)	lisa.griffiths@walabor.org.au
Denise Hardie		Plain text version Denise-Hardie.pdf (125.56 kb)	darlingrange@wa.greens.org.au
East Metro
Helen Morton		Plain text version Helen-Morton.pdf (158.83 kb)	helen.morton@mp.wa.gov.au
Donna Faragher		NO REPLY	nikki.day@mp.wa.gov.au
Stephen Blizard		NO REPLY	steve@blizard.com.au
Alyssa Hayden		Plain text version Alyssa-Hayden.pdf (189.35 kb)	alyssa.hayden@wa.liberal.org.au
Jock Ferguson		NO REPLY
Ljiljanna Ravlich		NO REPLY
Linda Savage		NO REPLY
Alison Xamon		Plain text version Alison-Xamon.pdf (13.77 kb)	http://wa.greens.org.au/eastmetro

Can't read the pdf's?  See transcripts in plain text.

Read this page for transcripts of the pdfs above.

Thankyou to all the candidates who replied to our request.  If your candidate is not listed here (perhaps someone from a minor party), or has not replied to our request for information, please contact them to ask them for their position, and let us know what their response is.

Update

Lisa Griffiths did not reply to the SETS Group's written request.   Co-convenor  Alan Lonsdale managed to speak with her by telephone on 2 September, having left a message 10 days earlier.  She explained that as she was a private citizen and not a member of Parliament, she had passed our requests on to Labor Party headquarters for a response.  To this point no response had been received.

When questioned about her personal view, she stated that a lot of people in the electorate wanted a better supply of power, while equally a lot of people in the electorate were concerned about the environment.  When asked how an Eastern Terminal would improve the power supply to people in the electorate, she indicated that "it would be another source of power".  She was informed that the purpose of the Eastern Terminal would be to augment power supplies to people in the Perth metropolitan area, NOT the Darling Range electorate.   She replied: "That's not what I've been told".

On this issue Lisa Griffiths has not done her homework, and is muddled and disorganised.  She has not thought through her position on the Eastern Terminal.
 

On Monday 18th August the Kalamunda Shire Council considered a submission from the Shire to Western Power in relation to the site selection process.

Although the last date for submissions passed on 31 July the Council had arranged an extension.   

The submission was passed unanimously.  The submission is reproduced below, and makes very strong statements about the proposed Eastern Terminal, the proposed gantry, the site selection process, "no-go" areas,  and the need for open public consultation.

SHIRE OF KALAMUNDA

SUBMISSION TO WESTERN POWER REGARDING THE SITE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED EASTERN TERMINAL

1.  CONSISTENT OPPOSITION

The Shire of Kalamunda has been involved in consultation with Western Power and its predecessors concerning the proposed Eastern Terminal substation since 1992.  The Shire has consistently opposed the proposal that an Eastern Terminal substation be located in state forest or water catchment areas to the east of Kalamunda.

During this period Council established a policy of ‘vehement opposition’ to the proposal.  Council understood that the issues had been resolved in May 2002 when Western Power wrote to the community of Hacketts Gully stating:

“Following a review of the long term electrical load requirements for the east metropolitan area, we wish to advise that a terminal substation will no longer required at Location 3897 Mundaring Weir Road, Hacketts Gully. We also have no intention to acquire an alternative site in areas close to Hacketts Gully as previously advised. The site at Location 3897 Mundaring Weir Road will be either disposed of or held as an environmental/conservation asset to be traded at some time in the future. Western Power has not intention to sell the land to a private developer[1].”

1.1     Council is greatly concerned that Western Power is now attempting to renege on its 2002 promises to the residents of Hacketts Gully.

Council remains opposed to Western Power’s Eastern Terminal proposal.  On 17 March 2008 Council unanimously adopted a motion that the Kalamunda Shire Council:

1. expresses its vehement opposition to siting of the substation within the study area designated by Western Power as it consists mainly of Priority 1 & Priority 2 water catchment areas, National Park and State Forest, and consequently is unacceptable on environmental, economic and social grounds,
2. expresses its vehement opposition to the announcement by Western Power of the 7 February 2008 that it is intending to construct a gantry structure near the intersection of Mundaring Weir Road and Bahen Road, Hacketts Gully, without any prior consultation with either the Council or affected residents in Hacketts Gully.

1.2    Council remains vehemently opposed to an Eastern Terminal and the proposed gantry structure in Hacketts Gully on environmental, social and economic grounds.

2.  WATER CATCHMENT

The Shire of Kalamunda has adhered to the terms of the ‘Water Management Strategy’ in Public Drinking Water Source Areas when considering development applications in Priority 1, 2 & 3 areas.  The Eastern Terminal study area encompasses all three Priority areas and falls within the Mundaring, Middle Helena and Victoria catchments.  As a consequence, use of land in these areas has been restricted in terms of the number and types of animals, the secondary processing of farm, orchard and vineyard produce and the imposition of housing envelopes on subdivided land so that water quality is preserved.

Council notes that under the ‘Water Management Strategy’ the category of ‘energy industry’ is incompatible.  Council also notes that recent announcements by the Water Corporation confirm Mundaring Weir as one of three key catchment areas in the Perth metropolitan area[2].

2.1     Council believes the construction of an Eastern Terminal in this area of State Forest and Priority 1 & 2 water catchments will set an unacceptable precedent and seriously undermine Council’s attempts to implement its strategy to secure water quality in the catchments.

3.  ENVIRONMENT, TOURISM AND RECREATION

The Shire’s strategic plan places particular value on the environment, ecotourism as an important economic driver, and the importance of the natural environment for recreation.

The proposed Eastern Terminal – whether as a switchyard or substation – would have a strong negative impact on these values.

The ‘gantry’ structure would have a major visible impact on the important tourist route which connects Kalamunda to the Mundaring Weir, Lake C.Y.O’Connor, the O’Connor Museum, the Hills Forest Centre and the Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi Trails and, in turn, on the recreational amenity of these areas.

In May 2008 Tourism W.A. stated:[3]

1. Perth Hills area has been identified as an emerging tourism destination within the Experience Perth Destination Development Strategy 2007-2017.
2. Tourism development in the Perth Hills destination is seen as strategically important as the Perth Hills product has direct synergy with three of the five iconic tourism experiences used to position Western Australia in the marketplace. (These include Forest & Flowers, Wine & Food, people & Lifestyle).
3. The Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi Trail hold iconic significance at a State level and form an important component of marketing Western Australia at a strategic level. 

3.1     Council believes the Eastern Terminal & ‘gantry’ proposals would undermine the tourism strategies of the Shire of Kalamunda and Tourism W.A. 

4.  SITE SELECTION PROCESS PAPER: THE PROJECT – A SWITCHYARD OR A SUBSTATION?

Pages 2-5 of the May 2008 Site Selection Process Paper outline Western Power’s plans for the construction of an Eastern Terminal switchyard.  Council is greatly concerned that in all previous information, including the briefing of Planning Services Committee on 10 December 2007, Western Power has consistently referred to an Eastern Terminal substation.  Despite Mr de Laeter’s presentation to Planning Services Committee on 11 August 2008, the reasons for the change are not clear, either to Council or to the community.  There continues to be very substantial community confusion concerning Western Power’s intentions, particularly given Western Power’s stated intention to acquire an area of 20 hectares, the area required for a substation.

Council is aware that Western Power proposes upgrading to 132 kV the 66 kV line which traverses Hacketts Gully and Paulls Valley.  It is assumed that should this occur, transformers would be required to convert 330 kV power to 132 kV, requiring the first stage of a substation.

4.1     The confusion that Western Power has created in the minds of the community as a result of its inconsistent descriptions of this project has significantly compromised the integrity of the consultation process, and raises serious questions about the adequacy of Western Power’s planning.

4.2     Council believes that, in assessing the potential long-term impact of the proposal, because of the uncertainty concerning the eventual development of an Eastern Terminal, Council must assume that it may ultimately comprise an Eastern Terminal substation; until such time that an unequivocal assurance is provided by Western Power that this is not the case.

5.  SITE SELECTION PROCESS PAPER: PROPOSED DECISION AND SITE SELECTION PROCESS

The description in the Site Selection Process Paper of the proposed site selection process is confusing, and is expressed in language that would not readily be understood by many people.  Those unfamiliar with the background to the Eastern Terminal proposal would have found it difficult to make informed comments about the process.  Council notes that of the 600 submissions received, only 37 were concerned with the process.  It is suggested that this is reflective of (a) the strength of community opposition to an Eastern Terminal, (b) the likelihood that many respondents were not prepared to comment on a site selection process as they were opposed to an Eastern Terminal anywhere in the study area, and (c) difficulty in understanding and commenting on the proposed process.

The Site Selection Process Paper identifies the following as “no-go” areas in which an Eastern Terminal would not be constructed: Reservoir Protection Zones; a buffer around the Perth Observatory; National Parks; and a 500 metre buffer around residential areas.  Council notes that following the exclusion of these areas the remaining area of interest would consist wholly of Priority 1 and 2 water catchment. 

5.1     Council believes that the following MUST ALSO be designated as “no-go” areas:

a)   the locality of Hacketts Gully in its entirety;

b)   all Priority 1 and 2 water catchment areas;

c)   a buffer of at least 500 metres on each side of the Bibbulmun Track, the Munda Biddi Track, the Lower Helena Bridle Trail, Kalamunda Circuit and The Dell picnic area, consistent with Western Power’s proposed setbacks for private property;

d)   all Environmentally Sensitive Areas as defined by the Department of Environment and Conservation; and

e)   a buffer of at least 1000 m (rather than 500 m) around all residential areas.

5.2     Council believes the threat of Phythophthera die back disease means that any development involving the clearing of forest in the study poses an unacceptable risk. 

Council is greatly concerned that while the Site Selection Process Paper proposes the application of sustainability principles to the selection of a specific site, the decision by Western Power to locate an Eastern Terminal within the study area was based only on economic and technical criteria. 

5.3     Council believes it is essential that, to ensure consistent decision making and to convince the community that Western Power is genuine in its use of sustainability principles, the decision to locate an Eastern Terminal east of Kalamunda must be reconsidered, using the sustainability principles proposed for the site selection process.

6.  PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Council is greatly concerned that, given the level of confusion in the community about Western Power’s intentions, the Site Selection Process Paper makes no provision for open community consultation through public meetings.  The Paper refers only to “information sessions during the Site Options Discussion Paper comment period to explain the sites identified.”  Community members who were not invited to the 2007 workshops but who have been included in the 2008 process will be seriously disadvantaged.  Community members and organisations will find it difficult to participate in the proposed site selection process if they have a confused or incorrect understanding of Western Power’s plans.  

6.1     Council believes it is essential that open information sessions are conducted as soon as possible to properly inform the community of the latest proposals for an Eastern Terminal.  Without such opportunities, Western Power’s community consultation process will be fundamentally flawed.

As we all know an election will be held on 6th September 2008. 

As electors, now is the time to ask your local candidates to state their position on the Gantry and on Eastern Terminal. 

Please take the time to email your candidates or write them a letter.  Let them know that this is an issue for you and that you would like to receive a reply. 

Your voice can make a difference!

The candidates are:

The Premier 

Alan Carpenter; alan.carpenter@walabor.org.au

Kalamunda

John Day (Liberal); john.day@mp.gov.au

Juliana Plummer (Labor); juliana.plummer@walabor.org.au

Toni Warden (Greens); toni@toniwarden.com.au, Website http://toniwarden.com.au

Darling Range

Tony Simpson; sjoffice@mp.wa.gov.au

Lisa Griffith; lisa.griffiths@walabor.org.au   

Denise Hardie (Greens); darlingrange@wa.greens.org.au

East Metro

Helen Morton (Liberal); helen.morton@mp.wa.gov.au

Donna Faragher (Liberal); nikki.day@mp.wa.gov.au

Stephen Blizard (Liberal); steve@blizard.com.au

Alyssa Hayden (Liberal); alyssa.hayden@wa.liberal.org.au 

Jock Ferguson (Labor)

Ljiljanna Ravlich (Labor)

Linda Savage (Labor)

Alison Xamon (Greens); http://wa.greens.org.au/eastmetro

The Aust Labor Party, WA Branch does not give email contacts for these people, you may use the main Labor head office address.

Please let us know in the comments if you can give us email addresses for the above people, or if you receive any replies.

Mark De Laeter in his address to the council indicated that there had been 600 submissions from members of the public in the recent round of public comment on the "site selection process". 

As a result of the huge community opposition to the project, Western Power have now announced a "fresh start" on Eastern Terminal. Well done!

A rough head count of 80 people was taken, an amazing response onshort notice, and a good indication of the force of communityopposition to this project. 

What's next? 

1. There's an election coming.  Keep the pressure up by writing to your candidates and ask them what is their position on the Eastern Terminal.  We will be providing names and addresses of candidates and a letter wizard for you to make this easier.  Stay tuned.  The SETS group has asked the candidates for their positions and will publish the responses on this site as we receive them in the next few weeks.
2. The Council have prepared a submission to Western Power on the Site Selection Process which goes before the full Council meeting for endorsement on Monday the 18th August.
3. Stay up to date by subscribing to our blog feed.  Put your email address in the form above "subscribe to updates by email" or subscribe to the rss feed in your feedreader.

See below for pictures of the Gantry coming soon to this neighbourhood. 

Hacketts Gully residents have recently been provided with "visual representations" of the Gantry structure soon to be constructed on the corner of Bahen Rd and Mundaring Weir Rd. 

Note that this is only the "temporary Gantry", not the Substation itself.  Eastern Terminal will be much larger.

Read about Western Power's announcement of the Gantry here. and "Gantry is an Eastern Terminal by stealth".  Do a search on this site for more information.

Attend the Council Meeting Tonight to show Western Power what the community thinks of this project! 

5 sets of visual representations were prepared by WP's consultants.  Below is the material from Nos 2 and 5, which show the view for drivers travelling along Mundaring Weir Rd (No 2 - the "tourist view"), and when travelling along Bahen Rd towards Mundaring Weir Rd (ie the "Hacketts Gully residents' view").

ViewPoint 2 - The Tourist View 

Quoting WP consultants: 

"Viewpoint 02 was selected to represent motorists travelling in a south west direction on Mundaring Weir Road. This location was chosen to demonstrate the maximum visibility of the proposed infrastructure to the driver of a vehicle travelling at approximately 60km/h.

This view is expected to be visible for 5 seconds by occupants of any passing vehicles, who are specifically looking towards the East.

The photomontage demonstrates that from this viewpoint the proposed infrastructure is minimally screened by the existing vegetation. The foreground vegetation may be removed during the construction of the proposed infrastructure."

Viewpoint 5 - Hacketts Gully residents view 

Again, quoting Western Power consultants:

"Viewpoint 05 was selected to represent the maximum visibility of the proposed infrastructure from Bahen Road.

None of the existing vegetation will screen the proposed infrastructure from this Viewpoint."

Mark de Laeter, Western Power's General Manager Customer Services will be meeting with the Kalamunda Council at the next Planning Meeting which will be held on Monday August 11th commencing at 7pm at the Council Chambers.

There will be a 15 minute segment with 15 minutes for questions.

All members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The SETS group thanks everyone for their support during the recent period of public comment.  We will be keeping you up to date with developments in the near future.

Western Power have announced that the submission period is to be extended to the 31st July 2008!

Worryingly, Western Power have also been critical of what they called “automated and generic submissions”.   Western Power made these criticisms on it's website recently.  It is suggested by Western Power that these letters (painstakingly set up so that people can have their own say on their concerns about the submission process) do not accurately reflect individual circumstances and opinion of the community.

Clearly Western Power is not reading your letters, or the comments you are writing on the bottom of them.  The irony is that it was Western Power’s horrifically constructed “Site Selection Process Paper” and unreasonably short comment period that prompted the SETS Group to set up a tool for the community to properly and quickly reflect the community’s concerns.

Obviously Western Power is getting the message that the community powerfully rejects its attempt to solely base the site selection to the Kalamunda state forest and Priority 1 water catchment area.  Do you think Western Power really thought the community wouldn’t see what they were trying to do through its “Site Selection Process Paper”?

You still have time to have your say, so please, if you haven’t had a chance yet, or if you know of someone who is equally concerned (after all the state forests belong to all Western Australians), please forward them our website link and ask them to use the wizard, write their thoughts at the end and show Western Power that Eastern Terminal is not needed!

Remember, you can have your say by posting your comments under this article!