In a significant logistical undertaking, 11 Western Power crews will be deployed to undertake an extensive $1.1 million package of works in Quairading to improve power reliability and the safety of the network.
The package of work will benefit homes and businesses in the town and surrounding areas and is scheduled across several days between 15 March and 22 March.
Eleven crews comprising about 65 personnel will be undertaking the work which includes an upgrade to the main line into the Quairading townsite, including the replacement of over 50 poles, re-tensioning of six bays of conductor, and multiple high voltage insulator, cross-arms and stay replacements.
Western Power Acting Executive Manager of Asset Operations Zane Christmas said the works were aimed at maintaining a high level of network safety while improving reliability of power supply for regional communities.
“We’re committed to continuing to provide the Quairading community with a safe and reliable electricity supply and that is why we’re making this substantial investment in infrastructure,” Mr Christmas said.
“We’ve worked with the community and stakeholders, including the Shire of Quairading and CBH to minimise the impact of this work, however residents will experience some power interruptions while upgrades are underway,” he said.
“While the majority of the work being done in Quairading will require a planned outage, we have secured live line crews who will carry out a portion of the work while the network is energised.”
“This has reduced the town wide planned outage to just one day, Saturday 18 March. This type work requires more experienced personnel and is another way that we have tried to reduce the impact to our customers.”
During the planned works, Western Power will be deploying 11 crews at various times, from multiple depots including Jandakot, Northam, Koorda and Balcatta.
From Wednesday 15 March to Friday 17 March the community will see Western Power crews in the area preparing for the outage on 18 March where a town-wide outage will be required for work on the Cunderdin to Quairading Road, north of Quairading. This work will involve up to 65 people using multiple elevated work platforms and cranes.
Western Power will also be working on Weir Road undertaking multiple pole changes and re-tensioning of several bays of conductor.
On Sunday 19 March, preparation work on poles will be done in advance of work planned for Wednesday 22 March, at the south end of Quairading near CBH. This work on Goldfields Road, north of Quairading, will require a smaller outage impacting 35 customers and involves the replacement of multiple poles, insulators and stays with about seven crews undertaking this work.
“We understand that the planned work may cause some short-term inconvenience, but we expect that these upgrades will bring improvements to power supply to the town,” Mr Christmas said.
“We want to assure you that crews will be working as safely and efficiently as possible to minimise interruptions. Traffic management will also be in place.”
Residents and businesses impacted by any of the above planned outages will be notified a minimum of three business days prior (but typically up to 10 business days) directly by Western Power.