By Jacinta Goerke
HILLS’
residents are angry Western Power is continuing to promote the need for a
terminal substation in Hacketts Gully despite two decades of strong community opposition.
Long-term
local resident, geologist and climate change specialist Mr Warden said he first
heard about Western Power’s latest attempts to revive their project when he
went to his letterbox in September 2007
“I
received a Western Power flier saying a substation was going to be built near
our home and we were invited to attend an information session at the Kalamunda
Agricultural Hall,” said Mr Warden.
Mr
Warden said he understood fliers were only sent to 1000 letterboxes[1]
in Hacketts Gully, Piesse Brook, Bickley and Carmel.
The remaining affected population in the Shire of Kalamunda, City of Gosnells and Shire of
Mundaring, which exceeds 175,000 people, was left uninformed.[2][3][4]
“The
information session comprised Western Power representatives who stood next to
posters and answered questions people had about the proposed substation. There
were no brochures to take home to read,” said Mr Warden.
“We
expected the session to be a presentation from Western Power during which time
they would inform us about the proposed substation and why it was needed.
“Instead
Western Power showed us maps of the state’s south west transmission
network.
“The
maps were difficult to understand, yet Western Power told us the substation
would eventually have up to 27 transmission lines emanating from it.
“We
were told a significant upgrade was needed to distribute more power to Perth.
“The
information session left us with more questions than answers,” he said.
Mr
Warden said residents were invited to write their names down if they wanted to
attend community workshops in October when they would help Western Power
identify the best place to build the substation.
“Most
of us wrote down our names and contact details; it was clear we wanted to be
part of the community consultation process,” said Mr Warden.
“However,
when we went home we looked at Western Power’s website.
“We
were horrified and extremely concerned at what we read,” said Mr Warden. “The
substation was a major infrastructure project for the Perth
metropolitan area with significant implications for the City of Gosnells and shires of Kalamunda
and Mundaring.[5]
“Further
investigation of government documents clearly showed that the substation had
been on Western Power’s agenda since at least 1990[6].”
Mr
Warden said at a subsequent community consultation night more than 100 locals
unanimously passed a motion to reject Western Power’s consultation process as
being inadequate.
Mr
Warden said after the consultation night he became aware that between 1998 and
2002 Western Power had tried to push through the substation by negotiating
directly with Hacketts Gully residents.
“Thankfully,
the Hacketts Gully people battled with Western Power and in May 2002 the corporation
wrote to them stating they had reviewed their requirements and the eastern
terminal was no longer required and would not be built in Hacketts Gully nor
areas close to Hacketts Gully.
“The
Hackett’s Gully locals believed they had won and could resume with their
orchard, wine and tourism businesses and personal lives.
“However,
five years later Western Power informed Hacketts Gully residents that the
substation was back on the agenda and gave them a map pinpointing the proposed
location of the substation.
“Yet,
at the same time Western Power has been reassuring the broader community that
they have not selected a site!”[7]
Mr
Warden said the hills’ community has every right to be angry and upset with
Western Power and concerned residents should write directly to Premier Mr Alan
Carpenter objecting to the substation and dissatisfaction with the way Western
Power has conducted themselves.
Residents should send copies of their letters to Ms Fran Logan, Minister
for Energy and local MPs.
Journalist: Jacinta Goerke
Researchers: Toni Warden, Gary Warden