Independent Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard heard community concerns over Western Power’s substation expansion plans during a special meeting organised between residents living in Myaree, Booragoon, Alfred Cove and Bicton, and Western Power.

"Western Power’s plans to upgrade the power substations within the Alfred Cove Electorate will have an impact on the community in terms of their size and locations," said Dr Woollard.

"Residents were concerned that any enlargements of existing substations located in residential areas will cause more amenity problems such as increase in noise, and devaluation of properties."

"Residents also voiced their concerns about Western Power’s plans to locate new substations in residential areas where there is a shortage of public open spaces, such as in Bicton."

Dr Woollard said a previous review of public open spaces within the City of Melville noted that of its 18 suburbs, 11 have less than 10% of public open space as recommended by the WA Planning Commission.

7 of these suburbs had 5% or less of public open space. Dr Woollard said Western Powers has advised that with population growth and increase in density, power substations within the City of Melville need upgrading to ensure reliability and security of supplies to residents and other users.

"However, community’s preference is for any new or enlarged substations to be located in industrial and commercial areas as opposed to residential areas," said Dr Woollard.

"I have written to the Minister for Energy, the Hon Peter Collier MLC, to inform him of the community’s preference.

"At the meeting, residents were also concerned that the City of Melville has not been responsive on this issue.

"Western Power has indicated they are open to land swapping. I have written to the City of Melville to ask them if they would consider options that do not diminish public open space or worsen public amenities issues."

"Western Power will be organizing further community consultation sessions in February and May, which would allow the community to provide further feedback and raise concerns surrounding each of the options put forward."

"Community members can call my office on 9316 1377 to ask to be notified when the consultation meetings will be held."

Dr Woollard added that community members with internet facilities can check Western Power’s website at www.westernpower.com.au

Note to editor/journalist: Western Power has identified five options for consideration to improve the reliability and security of power supply to residents and commercial areas within the City of Melville and City of Fremantle. These options are:  

BIC - Establish a new substation at 24 Fifth Street, Bicton.

OCM - Establish a new 132kV O'Connor substation opposite the existing substation and on completion, decommissiong the old 66kV one. Convert the existing Myaree substation from 66kkV to 132kV.

NOC - Establish a new 132kV substation at O’Connor.

NPM - Establish a new substation in Palmyra.

DOM - Convert the existing O’Connor substation from 66kV to 132kV. Establish a new 132kV substation at Myaree (at an industrial site) followed by the decommissioning of the existing 66kV Myaree substation.

Details of these options and their specific locations can be found at: www.westernpower.com.au/mainContent/projects/proposedProjects/MelvilleFr...

Media enquiries: Dr Janet Woollard on 0419 907 999; Carmel Kranz 9339 4906 or Margaret Terzise 0417 993 744 (contact persons for Bicton residents group); or Ike Nielsen 0407 190 399 (contact person for Myaree/Booragoon/Alfred Cove residents group)