Power poles get a colourful makeover in Mullewa
Release Date: 11 September 2008
Western Power has been working with the Mullewa council and a group of Aboriginal community volunteers to paint motifs on a series of wooden power poles in the town centre in the fight against anti-social behaviour which has been an ongoing issue for Western Power and the local community.
Western Power’s Community Relations Manager Des Lehmann said that Western Power’s equipment had in the past been vandalised, causing power interruptions and equipment damage.
“We are concerned about the safety of the offenders who are putting their lives at risk while vandalising our equipment.
“Our Community Relations team has been working with the local community of Mullewa recently with some fantastic results helping to educate the community about the dangers and importance of the local electricity infrastructure.
“The volunteer group have spent a significant amount of time painting some truly magnificent aboriginal artwork on the power poles using both contemporary and modern themes,” Des said.
“We have seen a drastic reduction in vandalism and other anti social behaviour in the area, but most importantly have established a long lasting relationship with the local community.
“Chris Cox, from our Community Relations team, and I recently visited the ladies in Mullewa and presented them with a microwave oven to use in their workshop to thank them for their wonderful artwork.
“We plan to monitor the success of this project and provide further assistance to the group where needed in the future,” Des said.
The Mullewa Council has also given support to the group by providing them with a work area in an old shop and the paint for the artwork.
Western Power's Des Lehmann (far left) and Chris Cox (far right) with local community members that helped with the decoration of the poles in Mullewa.
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