Mr WOOD - 2005-06-30
Over the last couple of months, many people in the rural area have been affected by constant interruption to their power supply. Power and Water say that this is due to bats flying around at this time of year, and the problem will decrease when new insulators are installed on powerlines in the area. Could you please say what has happened to the insulator upgrade program that used to be operating in the rural area? Has your government stopped funding the program and, if so, why? When will the program start again?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I am advised that outages in the rural area, particularly around the Corroboree area, have been due to a lot of fruit bats in the area. I can assure the member for Nelson that, in the repairs and maintenance budget within Power and Water, this government has increased spending over the past four years. The budget has gone from approximately $35m per annum up to almost $44m per annum. I am not aware of any cuts to that particular program.
For the information of members, the insulator replacement program means that longer insulators are replaced along the lines - I believe they are about 500 mm long - and you get more separation of the lines. In addition to that, there is a cross-arm replacement program being carried out. That also shifts the distance between the wires. There is a lot going on in trying to address this particular issue. One of the problems in the rural area is the long lines. The segments of line are quite long and they go for quite some distance along fairly isolated roads.
In regard to fruit bats, Power and Water is also testing some special covers for insulators. These are like a plastic mat that fit over the insulator. As well as that, electronic deterrents a bit like the Shu Roo, or whatever it is called, are also being trialled. In addition to try to minimise outages re-closure switches are being installed. These are works that are being done, along with further trials of replacement cross-arms.
I acknowledge, member for Nelson, that it is frustrating for people anywhere, particularly in the rural area, to have outages. However, I commend Power and Water and their workers. They do a great job in sometimes very trying conditions. We are putting resources into this particular area to try to minimise inconvenience to rural customers.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I am advised that outages in the rural area, particularly around the Corroboree area, have been due to a lot of fruit bats in the area. I can assure the member for Nelson that, in the repairs and maintenance budget within Power and Water, this government has increased spending over the past four years. The budget has gone from approximately $35m per annum up to almost $44m per annum. I am not aware of any cuts to that particular program.
For the information of members, the insulator replacement program means that longer insulators are replaced along the lines - I believe they are about 500 mm long - and you get more separation of the lines. In addition to that, there is a cross-arm replacement program being carried out. That also shifts the distance between the wires. There is a lot going on in trying to address this particular issue. One of the problems in the rural area is the long lines. The segments of line are quite long and they go for quite some distance along fairly isolated roads.
In regard to fruit bats, Power and Water is also testing some special covers for insulators. These are like a plastic mat that fit over the insulator. As well as that, electronic deterrents a bit like the Shu Roo, or whatever it is called, are also being trialled. In addition to try to minimise outages re-closure switches are being installed. These are works that are being done, along with further trials of replacement cross-arms.
I acknowledge, member for Nelson, that it is frustrating for people anywhere, particularly in the rural area, to have outages. However, I commend Power and Water and their workers. They do a great job in sometimes very trying conditions. We are putting resources into this particular area to try to minimise inconvenience to rural customers.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016