Planning new infrastructure
Our sustainability policy lies at the heart of all new infrastructure planning at Western Power. There are four main sustainability criteria that we take into consideration when choosing a transmission line route or substation site.
Some examples of the criteria are:
Environmental
- What are the predicted future energy usage requirements for the community?
- What is the visual impact upon the natural and social environment?
- We consider the predominant land use type; for example, is it used for urban, mining, agricultural or tourism purposes?
- We consider the number of houses and the size of the properties that are directly affected by the proposed route.
- Does the route pass near airstrips, military reserves or rifle ranges?
- Are there any Aboriginal heritage or cultural heritage considerations?
Social & community
- Is the location close to environmentally sensitive areas or areas with high conservation value; for example, national parks or nature reserves?
- Is the location close to protected or threatened vegetation?
- How much clearing of native vegetation would be required?
- Are there any threatened fauna species in the area (including migratory birds) and what would be the effects on their habitats?
- What would be the effects on watercourses, ground water and wetlands?
- Could the line or substation contribute to the potential spread of dieback or noxious weeds?
Economic
- Is the project economically viable?
- What alternatives are available?
Technical
- We consider physical elements such as terrain, access, soils, hydrology, lakes, dams, river crossings and other infrastructure.
- Is there restricted access to the land due to weather, disease or other environmental issues?
Western Power considers many issues when investigating suitable routes for new transmission lines and sites for substations, including the environmental impact. So by the time Western Power finalises the route, all of the relevant issues and stakeholder interests will have been taken into account and we will aim to deliver an optimal solution for the community.
