In The Press
A group fighting the construction of an electrical switchyard in the Hills is celebrating after Western Power announced it would take the project back to the drawing board....
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Western Power's General Manager in Customer Services Mark de Laeter addressed the Shire of Kalamunda's Planning and Services Committee regarding the proposed Eastern Terminal switchyard. Over 80 people filled the chamber to demonstrate their disapproval of Western Power's lack of community consultation...
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Western Power has admitted two of its contractors damaged areas of a walking trail in Kalamunda during recent maintenance.
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A newly formed group of Hills climate activists will fight the proposed construction of the eastern terminal electricity substation.
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...Lo and behold on the same page is a big advertisement - an invitation from Western Power. The subject is basically land clearing for its new power line.
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Western Power have conceded they should have provided Hills residents with clearer information about the development of an Eastern Terminal Substation.
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A group opposing Western Power's plans to build an eastern terminal substation in the Hills fear the community will not receive a fair hearing during the next round of consultation.
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"I note with interest that Ian Buchanan from Western Power (Geologist's ideas rejected, Gazette, April 5) confirmed the southeastern terminal and the recommissioning of the transmission line are required in addition to the eastern terminal..."
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Coal magnate Rick Stowe is planning to capitalise on the high price of domestic gas by spending up to $1.2 billion building 3 new power stations in a move that will put further pressure on the WA Government's greenhouse targets.
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Western Power has rejected a suggestion from a Hills Geologist that its planned eastern terminal substation is unnecessary.
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Kalamunda Shire Council wants the State Government to extend Kalamunda National Park to incorporate an area of the state forest at Hacketts Gully.
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"I am very concerned at Western Power's announcement of the building of a gantry on Mundaring Weir Road and upgrade of the existing 132,0000 volt line between Boddington and this new gantry."
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Kalamunda Shire Council has expressed its intense opposition to the area Western Power is studying as a site for a planned eastern terminal substation.
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A group opposed to Western Power's proposed eastern terminal substation in the Hills has urged energy minister Francis Logan to halt construction of a temporary gantry structure planned for Hacketts Gully.
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Tourism operators in the Hills have joined forces to fight Western Power's plans to build an eastern terminal substation in the Hills.
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"I note that Mr de Laeter claims the main reason for a "hills connection" to the metropolitan grid is because of new power stations being built at Collie".
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"In response to the letter from John Davenport from Bickley, published in the February 16 issue, I assure residents that Western Power has not chosen a location for the proposed Eastern Terminal (ET) substation."
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"Western Power's announcement of the reconstruction of the Collie to Hacketts Gully transmission line strongly suggests that it has chosen a site for the eastern terminal in the Hacketts Gully area."
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An action group fighting the construction of an electricity substation in the Hills believes Western Power has no interest in consulting the community over a site.
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Opponents to a proposed electrical terminal substation in the Hills have won a 12 month reprieve, with Western Power this week announcing it needs more time to consult the community.
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Kalamunda Shire Council will request a consultation with Western Power on the proposal for the new Eastern Sub Terminal.
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Opposition is mounting against Western Power's proposed Eastern Terminal Substation in the Hills.
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Darling Range MLA John Day has called for the State Government to listen to concerns of local residents about a new terminal substation to be constructed in the Kalamunda District.
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Goldfields drinking water could be at risk of contamination if a proposed Western Power substation is established in Kalamunda, according to Kalamunda Shire Councillor Frank Lindsay.
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Residents will take an active role in the selection of a site for a new $180 million terminal substation in the Kalamunda-Mundaring area, according to Western Power.
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Kalamunda Shire Council will "vehemently" oppose a bid by Western Power to build a substation near Mundaring Weir Road in Hacketts Gully.
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by Toni Warden
2/18/2008 8:38:00 PM
On the 13 February 2008, Western Power arranged a meeting with residents of Bahen Road, Hackett’s Gully, to finally inform them about the construction of the proposed Gantry. Despite Western Power’s previous assurances: “including full and proper consultation with the general public and local community” and “formally advise all the landowners whose properties are in the immediate vicinity of the site about the proposal” they chose to inform the residents of Hackett's Gully after they issued a press statement. This also meant that they chose not to conduct the meeting in a "consulting manner" but rather an "informing manner ".
What is of great concern to the SETS Group is Western Power’s lack of commitment to consult with the general public and local community about this development. Mundaring Weir Road is the environmental link between Kalamunda and Mundaring Weir precinct, and is a popular tourist route that attracts income to local businesses. The development of further electrical “eye sores” in this area is abhorrent both to local residents and the broader community.
A spokesperson for the residents stated “We are extremely disappointed that a deal has been done” and when asked what they would have wanted if they had been consulted by Western Power, the spokesperson stated “Residents at the meeting indicated that if they had a choice, it wouldn’t go ahead.”
A recent newspaper article in the Hills Gazette (16/02/08) made reference to a letter from Western Power to Hackett's Gully residents dated 9 May 2002. The letter stated “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, Hackett’s Gully. We also have no intention to acquire an alternative site in areas close to Hackett’s Gully as previously advised.” The spokesperson for the residents also stated “We feel that we’ve been let down. Big dollars have been invested here by some residents and that has been put in jeopardy.”
In Western Power's media release (7 February 2008) they describe the "temporary" gantry as "Four transmission structures, considting of one tower, two poles and a gantry...". Mr Ian Buchanan of Western Power, went on to say "The Gantry will enable interconnection with the high voltage network allowing for a delay, in the short term, on the construction of Eastern Terminal. Once Eastern Terminal is developed the Gantry will be removed, as will one of the poles." Members of the SETS Group, asked the Project Officer, Mr Adrain Stubbings, if by that statement from the press release, Western Power had selected Hackett's Gully as the site for the Eastern Terminal sub-station. His reply was, "Western Power have not yet selected a site." Mr Stubbings was then asked what would happen to the Gantry if Western Power decided not to proceed with the Eastern Terminal sub-station? His reply was "The Gantry will then remain in place for good."
Spokesperson for the SETS Group, Dr Alan Lonsdale, added “The issue has been very stressful, causing a number of Hackett’s Gully residents to move out because of the unresolved threat of a substation.” If you read our History of Hackett’s Gully and Western Power page, you will understand the residents’ frustration and that Western Power has had them walking on egg shells for some 11 years. It is important that everyone in the community shows their support for the Hackett’s Gully residents by informing themselves about the history of this project. It is also important for residents to be aware that there is a serious lack of ethics involved in Western Power’s tactics. If you want to help the residents, you can write a personal letter to the Ombudsman complaining of their lack of consultation about the gantry development. You can also further assist by writing to Alan Carpenter and Fran Logan, asking them to set up an ethics committee into the past and present actions of Western Power.