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Connecting

communitiesto the network


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Our approach

How Western Power transports electricity

As your network manager, Western Power

is committed to creative solutions that will

ensure safe and reliable power supplies to your

community today into the future.


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How does the WesternPower grid work?

There are many interconnecting pieces of infrastructure that make up the

South West Interconnected System (SWIS). These pieces of infrastructure

are used to take power from generators, such as coal, wind or hydro

power stations, and deliver it through the poles and wires to your homes

and businesses. Three of the most common types of infrastructure that

Western Power uses to deliver power to your community include; substations,transmission lines and distribution lines.

Energy created by power generators is delivered to your community by

a network of high voltage transmission lines that connect through to a

local substation.

The power leaving a generator site may be 330,000 volts whilst the power

being delivered into your home is either 240 volts or 415 volts, depending on

your location. Western Powers substations transform power down for local

communities. They are built near to the community that they are providing

for - and the more our communities continue to develop and grow, the more

substations will be required.


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Planning new infrastructure

Our sustainability policy lies at the heart of all new infrastructure

planning at Western Power. There are four main sustainability criteria

that we take into consideration when choosing a transmission line route

or substation site. Some examples of the criteria are:

Social & community

What are the predicted future energy usage requirements for

the community?

What is the visual impact upon the natural and social environment?

We consider the predominant land use type; for example, is it used

for urban, mining, agricultural or tourism purposes?

We consider the number of houses and the size of the properties that

are directly affected by the proposed route.

Does the route pass near airstrips, military reserves or rifle ranges?

Are there any Aboriginal heritage or cultural heritage considerations?


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Environmental

Is the location close to environmentally sensitive areas or areas with high

conservation value; for example, national parks or nature reserves?

Is the location close to protected or threatened vegetation?

How much clearing of native vegetation would be required?

Are there any threatened fauna species in the area (including migratory

birds) and what would be the effects on their habitats?

What would be the effects on watercourses, ground water and wetlands?

Could the line or substation contribute to the potential spread of dieback or

noxious weeds?


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Planning new infrastructure

Western Power considers many issues when investigating suitable

routes for new transmission lines and sites for substations, including the

environmental impact. So by the time Western Power finalises the route, allof the relevant issues and stakeholder interests will have been taken into

account and we will aim to deliver an optimal solution for the community.

Technical

We consider physical elements such as terrain, access, soils,

hydrology, lakes, dams, river crossings and other infrastructure.

Is there restricted access to the land due to weather, disease or

other environmental issues?

Economic

Is the project economically viable?

What alternatives are available?


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Substations transform

power down for local

communities near to the

homes and businesses that

they are providing for.


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Vegetation management

Vegetation management: During the construction of a transmission line, it may

be necessary to clear or disturb vegetation. Depending on circumstances of the

new infrastructure, vegetation may be able to regenerate under transmission

lines depending on species.

Permanent vegetation clearing: Permanent clearing of vegetation may be

undertaken in areas close to the transmission line in order to enable construction

and to provide access.

Access tracks: In an area where there is no existing access to a structure, an

initial four-metre-wide access track will typically be created to enable large

vehicles to access the site. Where an access track already exists but is less than

four metres in width, the existing track may be widened.

To ensure transmission

lines operate in a safe and

secure manner clearances

between vegetation and

live electrical conductors

must be maintained.


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Temporary vegetation disturbance: Temporary disturbance or clearing of

vegetation along the transmission line route is required in order to carry

out construction activities. After construction, vegetation will be allowed

to regenerate in areas not occupied by equipment and not requiring

permanent access.

Vegetation clearing for safety: To ensure that transmission lines

operate in a safe and secure manner, and to assist in preventing bush

fires, sufficient clearances must be maintained between vegetation and

live electrical conductors (wires). This is achieved through both the

initial clearing of taller vegetation and ongoing vegetation management.

Generally species that grow no higher than three metres are retained

within the corridor. The width of the corridor is determined by the type

of powerline. Vegetation removed is often mulched and spread within the

corridor but other methods of disposal or utilisation of the product may

also be undertaken in agreement with the landowners.


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Assessing the profile

When Western Power builds new substations and transmission lines, one

of the social factors considered is the way the infrastructure will look

in the area. Western Power considers the possible effects the profile of

infrastructure will have on landowners, communities, tourism and other

significant viewpoints and where necessary engages professional landscapearchitects to determine how the profile of the proposed project will affect

the surrounding environments.

Reducing the visual impact

Whenever possible, Western Power takes measures to reduce the

visual impact of substations and transmission lines. As each piece of

infrastructure is different, not all approaches are suitable to all sites.

Landscape architects also advise Western Power on strategies that may be

employed to reduce the visual profile of the infrastructure that are sensitive

to the local conditions and usage of the surrounding land and space.

Substations:

Western Power has a number of options available to reduce visual profile

when constructing a substation.

Landscaping:

substation to help the substation blend with the area.

Walls:

reduce the visual impact of a substation.

Earth mounds:

earth mound around the perimeter of the site to reduce the visual impact.

Reducing the visual & noiseprofile of infrastructure


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Transmission lines:

Reducing the visual profile of transmission lines may involve the selection

of a route that avoids residential areas as well as areas of environmental

or cultural significance.

Wherever possible, Western Power takes into consideration natural

vegetation and geography to reduce the visual impact of itstransmission lines.

Reducing the noise profile

In some situations it is necessary to build a solid wall around a substation

or alternatively install a noise enclosure around a particular transformer

to reduce the noise from that substation.

Government regulations

When a new project is seen to have significant environmental impact,

Western Power will refer the project to the Environmental Protection

Authority (EPA) for assessment.


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Important numbers

Below is a list of important contact details should you require assistance

or information regarding powerlines in your area.

Faults and emergencies, power interruptions,

estimated restoration times (24 hrs) 13 13 51

Streetlights out (24 hrs) 1800 622 008

Report vandalism (24 hrs) 13 13 51

General enquiries 13 10 87

Trees that are close to powerlines 13 10 87

TTY users (speech or hearing impaired only) 1800 13 13 51

Telephone Interpreter Services 13 14 50

Report graffiti (24 hrs) 1800 442 255

Dial 1100 Before You Dig 1100

dialbeforeyoudig.com.au

Western Power vegetation management team

[email protected]

Media enquiries 1300 139 240

363 Wellington Street Perth WA 6000

GPO Box L921 Perth WA 6842

T: 13 10 87F: 9326 4594

www.westernpower.com.au

ProductCode:87262999.

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