Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1996-08-14
What was the reason for the recent power outages in the Darwin rural area? Was it the wildlife again?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the question is a serious one. There have been some problems in the rural area in relation to power outages. Unfortunately, they have been caused by flying fox activity. Thus, the answer is that the outages have been caused by wildlife. In a single week, between 1 and 7 August, the Adelaide River 22 kV feeder experienced 23 minor outages and 6 major outages as a result of flying fox activity. It is a significant problem. The outages have occurred where the flying foxes have gathered in large numbers and the electrical insulation has been bridged by contact between their wings. I understand that wildlife researchers have studied what is occurring and they believe that considerable activity with young bats learning to fly has brought this situation about. Interestingly, a Power and Water Authority employee ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: The member for Wanguri thinks this is funny. It is all right for him because he lives in the suburbs. However, there are people in our community who unfortunately do not have all the benefits that he and his constituents have. This government is concerned about them. He may think this is a joke, but it is important to those people. The problem with the member for Wanguri is that he is very self- centred and cares little for other people.
A Power and Water Authority employee, a fellow by the name of Richards, came up with ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, throughout Question Time this morning, the member for Wanguri has not stopped. He has attempted repeatedly to rudely interrupt government speakers who are providing information to the community. He should be identified as the culprit in these circumstances.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The minister should answer the question.
Mr MANZIE: As I said, an employee of the Power and Water Authority came up with an idea to prevent this shorting-out. A project has been commenced to place black polythene pipe on the powerlines, which will prevent this occurring. However, the task is obviously extensive. It will take some years to get to every insulator.
In the meantime, the Power and Water Authority has dispatched extra crews to patrol lines in the Batchelor and Adelaide River areas. In addition, standby generators have been located at Adelaide River and at Tortilla Flats to provide temporary power in the event of further outages. The Power and Water Authority is doing everything possible, including writing to people who may be affected, to advise them of the action being implemented. Everything is being done that can be done to enable people in affected rural areas to enjoy the access to power that people in the suburbs have.
Page 1479
Page 1478
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the question is a serious one. There have been some problems in the rural area in relation to power outages. Unfortunately, they have been caused by flying fox activity. Thus, the answer is that the outages have been caused by wildlife. In a single week, between 1 and 7 August, the Adelaide River 22 kV feeder experienced 23 minor outages and 6 major outages as a result of flying fox activity. It is a significant problem. The outages have occurred where the flying foxes have gathered in large numbers and the electrical insulation has been bridged by contact between their wings. I understand that wildlife researchers have studied what is occurring and they believe that considerable activity with young bats learning to fly has brought this situation about. Interestingly, a Power and Water Authority employee ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: The member for Wanguri thinks this is funny. It is all right for him because he lives in the suburbs. However, there are people in our community who unfortunately do not have all the benefits that he and his constituents have. This government is concerned about them. He may think this is a joke, but it is important to those people. The problem with the member for Wanguri is that he is very self- centred and cares little for other people.
A Power and Water Authority employee, a fellow by the name of Richards, came up with ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, throughout Question Time this morning, the member for Wanguri has not stopped. He has attempted repeatedly to rudely interrupt government speakers who are providing information to the community. He should be identified as the culprit in these circumstances.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The minister should answer the question.
Mr MANZIE: As I said, an employee of the Power and Water Authority came up with an idea to prevent this shorting-out. A project has been commenced to place black polythene pipe on the powerlines, which will prevent this occurring. However, the task is obviously extensive. It will take some years to get to every insulator.
In the meantime, the Power and Water Authority has dispatched extra crews to patrol lines in the Batchelor and Adelaide River areas. In addition, standby generators have been located at Adelaide River and at Tortilla Flats to provide temporary power in the event of further outages. The Power and Water Authority is doing everything possible, including writing to people who may be affected, to advise them of the action being implemented. Everything is being done that can be done to enable people in affected rural areas to enjoy the access to power that people in the suburbs have.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016