Homes and businesses in Mullewa will soon benefit from a $4 million Western Power investment in their local network.
Western Power’s infrastructure upgrade will help improve power reliability and enhance network resilience to major weather events.
Crews will replace more than 340 poles and over 25km of conductors in the town and surrounding areas as well as replacing insulators and crossarms. Additionally, more than 20 streetlights will be replaced that include new LED globes.
This planned work is in addition to the $16M spent on bushfire mitigation in the Mid-West ahead of summer to improve reliability and minimise bushfire risk and associated impacts on the network.
The work will be carried out in two stages: February to May will see around 200 poles and 19km of conductor replaced on the line west of Mullewa town; stage two from June to August will see 140 poles and 6km of conductors replaced in the Mullewa townsite. During this time, there will be heavy vehicles in the area and traffic management will be in place where required.
There will be multiple planned outages so crews can undertake the work safely. Residents and businesses affected by these outages will be notified a minimum of three business days prior (but typically up to 10 business days) directly by Western Power.
During stage one, the Mullewa generator will support the townsite, reducing the planned outage period for town residents to momentary outages in the morning and evening.
Western Power Acting Executive Manager of Asset Operations Zane Christmas said the work being undertaken in Mullewa was part of Western Power’s commitment to maintaining network safety and improving power reliability for regional communities.
“We understand the inconvenience of planned outages, but this work is needed for network renewal and maintenance and to support improved reliability,” he said.
“We’ve been directly engaging with the City of Greater Geraldton regarding this work to keep them informed and ensure consultation and collaboration regarding electricity supply in the region.
“We aim to minimise any disruptions caused to neighbouring landowners, residents, and businesses.”