Power to possums
Release Date: 30 November 2007
The new power line from Northam to Toodyay brings a new level of service to Toodyay customers including its local rare possums.
During the installation of the new line from Northam to Toodyay, Western Power staff discovered a dead tree in the path of the planned new line was a habitat for the rare brush tail possum.
Western Power’s community relations coordinator for Northam Mr Kim Cooper said the business considered it important to save habitat trees.
“Normally we would have removed a dead tree that blocked a line route because it can threaten power supplies but after we identified this tree as a habitat for possums, we decided to try to save it,” Mr Cooper said.
Mr Cooper said guide wires were attached to the tree to ensure it could not fall on the power lines.
“The decision to install guide wires was an innovative way of leaving the possum home in place while ensuring our new lines were safe,” Mr Cooper said.
Western Power also redirected the new line around another tree with a wedge tail eagle nest.
The new line comes into operation this week and will supply Toodyay whilst the existing line undergoes maintenance. When maintenance is complete in 2008, both lines will be used to boost the reliability and capacity of power supplies to Toodyay.
The new line will be operational by 3 December.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
