WESTERN
POWER — POWER POLE DEFECT NOTICES
793. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Energy:
I have a supplementary question. Given the distressing program,
can the minister advertise that to the people who have been directed to replace
their poles so that families are not unnecessarily struggling with financial
distress?
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON
replied:
I am very happy to tell Western Power to make sure that it
engages again, but the notice includes all the contact arrangements that the
pole owner should respond to. I am very happy to make sure that Western Power
goes back and talks to people again, because this is an unfortunate situation
that has arisen because of the Supreme Court decision. In my view, the court
made the determination—it is its decision—but it did overturn
the expectation, because, previously, the security of the pole had always been
considered the resident's responsibility. The problem now is that
Western Power, through its insurers, has been held liable for the damage caused
to other properties by the failure of that consumer pole. It would potentially
cost Western Power millions and millions and millions of dollars if it does not
get these poles remediated.