PRESS RELEASE

Following unsuccessful community consultations in Kalamunda last year, Western Power is now seeking community input on new plans for an Eastern Terminal in the Perth Hills.

The group opposed to the Eastern Terminal believes that the new proposals are very confusing. Alan Lonsdale, spokesperson for the Stop the Eastern Terminal Action Group, said that Western Power has suddenly changed the basis for its planning in an attempt to abate community opposition.

“Until two months ago the proposal for an Eastern Terminal substation was to meet forecast growth in electricity demand for the whole of the Perth metropolitan area. In a complete change, the new proposal for an Eastern Terminal switchyard is based on planned land use and electricity load forecasts specifically for the hills region. Over the past ten years Western Power’s flip-flop planning has been erratic and inconsistent. It is now totally lacking in credibility and simply cannot be believed”, Dr Lonsdale said.

“The community does not trust any statements by Western Power about its planning intentions and potential future developments.”

The new proposals are outlined in a 21 page “Site selection Process Paper”. Western Power has written to all landowners in the Shire of Kalamunda and landowners potentially affected in Mundaring and Gosnells inviting comment on a new “site selection process”. Councils and community groups are also invited to comment.

“But the paper is confusing and the process seeks to prevent hostile community responses by avoiding open meetings”, said Dr Lonsdale. In the proposed site selection process, community input would be limited to written comment on ‘site options’ identified by consultants. Information sessions would be held, but only to explain the sites identified.

In submitting comments to Western Power, the action group urges community members “to insist that meetings are held at the outset to explain the new plans and enable the open expression of community opinion”. “They should also insist that the ‘sustainability principles’ Western Power intends applying to the selection of a site are first applied to the question of whether it is appropriate to locate an Eastern Terminal in this area”, said Dr Lonsdale. Further advice is available at stopeasternterminal.org.au.

The action group believes Western Power is intent on using a site previously identified in Hacketts Gully, and that Western Power’s site selection process is a sham. In 1998 Western Power proposed constructing the Eastern Terminal in Hacketts Gully. In 2002, Hacketts Gully residents were advised by letter that this would not be the case. But in 2007, contrary to the 2002 letter, residents were again advised that an Eastern Terminal would be located in Hacketts Gully.

The action group recently wrote to the Premier seeking an assurance that Western Power’s 2002 promise would be upheld. “The action group is greatly concerned that, in his reply, the Premier failed to honour that commitment”, said Dr Lonsdale.

. . . .ends

Authorised by:

Dr Alan Lonsdale
Convenor Stop the Eastern Terminal Substation Action Group
lonsdale1@iinet.net.au
9293 8106