Planning new infrastructure

It’s up to all of us to manage our use of energy so that the infrastructure needed to supply it does not have a negative impact on our local environment.

When planning new infrastructure, Western Power looks at 4 sets of factors before deciding on a new transmission line route:

Social and community

What are the predicted future energy usage requirements for the community?
What is the visual impact on the natural and social environment?
What is the main type of land use?
How many houses and properties would be affected by the new route?
Are there any Aboriginal heritage or cultural heritage considerations?

Economic

Is the project financially viable?
What alternatives are available?

Environmental

Is the location close to environmentally sensitive areas?
Is the location close to protected or threatened vegetation?
Are there any threatened animals or other fauna species, in the area 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 harmful weeds?

Technical

Is there restricted access to the land due to weather, disease or other environmental factors?

We also consider elements such as terrain, access, soils, hydrology, lakes, dams and river crossings.

So, by the time a final route has been decided, Western Power will have considered all the relevant issues and based its decision on the best option for the local community.

But taking responsibility for the environment doesn’t stop there! We need to continue to look at ways to make energy use more efficient in the future.