Western Power released a press statement on 7 February 2007 announcing that the proposed Eastern Terminal substation will be delayed for 12 months, providing "the community with more time to be involved in the site selection."

The main thrust of the article was to inform the community of plans to building a temporary structure, called a gantry, to interconnect with their high voltage network enabling a delay to the Eastern Terminal project.  This gantry would be erected near the corner of Mundaring Weir and Bahen Roads, Hackett’s Gully east of Kalamunda.  Western Power's Mr Ian Buchanan stated “This is the only 1 site that allowed the structures to be located outside National Parks, away from private property and minimised the social and environmental impact.”

He further stated, “To allow additional time to consult with residents in the hills Western Power will develop the SET first.”   SET stands for South Eastern Terminal (near Byford).  We note this with concern, as it again changes Western Power’s stance on what they need to do to secure power for Perth; now stating that two substations are required to provide for Perth’s power needs. This was not the scenario presented to the community in October and to the many organisations, including the Shire of Kalamunda, who requested separate information sessions with Western Power officials. At that time Western Power identified 10 options to provide transmission solutions to power supply constraints. These were presented as an ‘either/or’ solution rather than an ‘either/and’ solution.  Mr Buchanan also stated that, “The development of SET in Byford will not alleviate the need for the ET project.  Both projects were in Western Power’s future plans, it was just a matter of deciding which was developed first.”

SETS Group released a press statement on 7 February 2007

Dr Alan Lonsdale, the Group Convenor, referring to the proposal for a temporary gantry, stated “This is not an “innovative solution”, as we believe from studying Western Power’s reports that such a development is not urgent.”  This is in line with the Group’s understanding that Western Power has planned the development of ET for the past 18 years.  He further underpinned this statement by reporting that the Eastern Terminal substation project was not even mentioned in Western Power’s Transmission and Distribution Annual Planning Report for 2007.

Dr Lonsdale went on to say “Our belief is that Western Power’s preferred site is still in Hackett’s Gully”.  This was the area Western Power has been trying to secure a piece of the State Forest to house Eastern Terminal in for all of those years.  This is extremely concerning for the residents of Hackett’s Gully as Western Power had ruled out Hackett’s Gully in May 2002, in a letter in which they state “Following a review of the long term electrical load requirements for the east metropolitan area, we wish to advise that a terminal station is 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.”

Dr Lonsdale went on to say “This latest development graphically illustrates the community’s concerns, as there has been no advice to or consultation with residents of Hackett’s Gully.”  The SETS Group wrote to the Managing Director of Western Power on 3/12/2007 formally complaining about Western Power's community consultation process.  A reply has still not been received.

In that letter, the SETS Group requested:

Accordingly, as a matter of urgency and for the reasons outlined in this letter, we formally request

(a) that decisions concerning the specific location and the construction of the proposed terminal substation are deferred until adequate consultation with the community has occurred, and the matters raised in our forthcoming submission are considered,

(b) that Western Power recommences the consultation process, ensuring that all key stakeholders are consulted, all relevant information is provided in documents that are readily available to stakeholders, and adequate time is available for consultation,

(c) that the process is such as to ensure that sustainability assessment and stakeholder engagement are integrated with planning processes, and

(d) that the SETS Action Group is provided with early advice on the revised timetable for decision making and planning for this project.

In summing up the SETS Group’s reaction to Western Power’s announcement, Dr Lonsdale reported that the Group was greatly disappointed that there has been no reply from the Managing Director but, along with directly affected residents, have learned about this latest development through the media.

The SETS Group is left to conclude that Western Power has no intention of genuinely consulting with the general community.