Cyclone Seroja
In support of Western Australians affected by the recent Cyclone Seroja, Western Power is waiving fees related to network connections and reconnections for residents whose properties were impacted.
For residents whose property has been destroyed by the cyclone, we’ll be waiving the cost of establishing a temporary builder supply (if required), which can be up to $555. Where property or network connections have been damaged but not destroyed, reconnecting existing customers’ points and replacing meters will be free of charge as per our normal practice.
Even once our infrastructure is replaced, your power may not be back on.
If your home has been damaged, we recommend that you get a licensed electrical contractor to check the integrity of the electrical installation in your property.
For your safety when network power is restored, the WA Electrical Inspectors advise that you conduct a visual safety check on all external electrical equipment (including bore pumps, power points, external ground lighting) within your property prior to turning it on. If you find any damaged electrical equipment you must contact an electrical contractor to have the problem fixed.
Power fluctuations may occur when power is restored, so it’s helpful to unplug sensitive appliances before reconnecting. When reconnected, turn on appliances one at a time, starting with lights and small appliances. If you experience any shocks, zaps or tingles report them immediately on 13 13 51.
Kalbarri residents
The WA Electrical Inspectors have mobilised additional resources to assist with inspections.
Even once our infrastructure is replaced, your power may not be back on. There are additional steps that some residents and homeowners may need to take.
If your home has sustained damage, please look for a tag or notification on the status of your electricity supply. This will be placed in the meter box, or at the front door if there isn’t enough space in the meter box for the disconnection tag.
There are many variables that come into play when deciding what type of electricity network to build or replace in each area. Like all our decisions, we are constantly weighing up the community’s desires against our need to invest wisely when it comes to deciding on overhead and underground power.
When overhead powerlines reach the end of their lifespan and need to be upgraded, the area is assessed individually and the safest, most reliable and cost-effective solution will be determined – whether that be underground or overhead.
In areas with an existing overhead network, it is not cost-effective to replace the network ahead of its normal lifespan – when it’s in, it’s better to maintain than completely replace.
We’ve assessed using concrete poles in the past, and there are a number of reasons they’re not suitable.
- WA has highly resistant soils (in terms of electricity passing through the earth’s surface – or returning to “earth”). Concrete and steel poles require more complicated and more expensive earthing protection systems as a result, because of their own individual conductivity properties (they are better conductors). Wood is the most efficient option for WA conditions.
- A wood pole is relatively inexpensive (about 10% of the cost of replacing a pole and conductor and insulators etc), and adds little to the work that would be required by a crew after a severe weather event.
Repair and restoration will take a significant rebuild over a number of weeks in some areas, depending on whether parts or whole feeder lines have been damaged.
While you may be able to return to your property, it may take time for normal electricity supply to return.
Keep an eye on our regular Cyclone Seroja updates for regularly updated information related to your specific location.
All of Western Power’s existing emergency response generators (ERG) have been deployed, some of which were already in the region.
One ERG has been supplying power to Mullewa, since the cyclone hit.
The ERG provided to Kalbarri, is in place, however due to the significant damage to the distribution network it is unable to be connected at present. We’re working on smaller power configurations to directly generate parts of Kalbarri and Northampton.
We’re currently assessing generators that have been supplying locations in the Geraldton town site for potential redeployment to the area north of Geraldton.
We understand that some people may wish to connect generators to their homes. You should only do this if it’s safe for you, the community and our crews.
The network has sustained significant damage as a result of Cyclone Seroja, and in some areas it may take weeks to restore power. We understand that some customers may wish to connect generators to their homes in the interim.
If your property has not been damaged, generators can be used as long as:
- they’re being used according to manufacturers’ guidelines
- the cord and generator are within specifications
- they’re connected legally (changeover switch installed)
- used in accordance to Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) directions.
Before you connect a generator, contact your local electrical contractor or visit the Department of Building and Energy’s website for more information.
We understand it’s an important time for your business and we assure you we’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact on your seeding schedule.
There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done to repair the transmission network from Three Springs to Mumbida, Three Springs to Mungarra, Mungarra to Geraldton and the distribution lines from Geraldton to Northampton and surrounds.
If we require access to your property, the following guidance is provided:
- If a pole / line is intact and remain standing (just bent / tilted): we’ll require sufficient space on either side of the line to drive a truck / elevated work platform. We may require space for a turning circle around the impacted pole/line.
- If a pole or line is fallen: we’ll require room around the affected asset for trucks / elevated work platforms to navigate around safely, space for crews to setup for repair work and adequate turning circle for the trucks / elevated work platforms.
- Crews will be pleased to talk to land owners as they meet them, but under fault conditions, notice to access properties is not provided. We will ensure gates remain as they are found and undertake risk assessments on the land to minimise impacts.
If you see a downed powerline or damaged electrical asset on your property, stay at least 8 metres clear and call us on 13 13 51 to report the hazard.
Western Power provides an extended outage payment to acknowledge community inconvenience during periods without power.
The extended outage payment is usually $80 but has been increased to $160 for customers impacted by this weather event, either directly or indirectly. It is a courtesy payment and is separate from the disaster relief payments offered by the Federal Government.
You can apply, once power is reconnected. To find out more and lodge a claim, visit our extended outage page
You will need your meter number and bank details to do this. We can help you fill out the form over the phone – please call 13 10 87 for assistance.
Despite our rapid response, around 280 residents and small businesses in the Mid-West and Wheatbelt have waited six weeks or longer to reconnect to the network, with many purchasing their own generator fuel over this time and others travelling long distances for hot showers. These costs have not been covered by insurers or disaster relief funds.
To help with these costs the State Government has announced $1,000 payments to eligible customers who were awaiting network repairs as at 24 May 2021.
Western Power will administer these payments on behalf of State Government, with payments made from July 2021. This does not represent an ongoing commitment by Western Power.
This payment is in addition to our extended outage payment.
If you believe you are eligible for this payment you can apply online for a Cyclone Seroja recovery payments. You will need your meter number and bank details to do apply. We can help you fill out the form over the phone – please call 13 10 87 for assistance.
Food
Logistical support and planning plays a large part in a repair and recovery effort as massive as this. We have around 200 employees on the ground in the Mid West and how we accommodate, feed, transport and keep them safe is always a priority.
As with all large events like this, we review, adapt and change as we move from response phase to repair and recovery. Reviewing our catering provisions at this stage of the recovery is part of our process to ensure its effective and works for our employees. While we support local businesses where we can, it’s the reason we don’t have any formal contracts with local residents or businesses regarding catering.
With many crews now on the ground and more set to be deployed in the coming weeks, providing a meal allowance is logistically more effective, provides greater choice for employees and is normal business process. The allowance is detailed in our enterprise agreement and the rate is set by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
Accommodation
We’re committed to repairing and restoring power to all communities affected by TC Seroja as safely and quickly as possible. More than 200 employees are on the ground in Kalbarri, Northampton, Horrocks, and Port Gregory and this resourcing will continue until our recovery effort is complete.
We’re supporting local businesses by sourcing accommodation in the impacted regions - and this will continue. Even though there are accommodation constraints, we’re able to accommodate all our employees, and no work is being delayed due to this.
We understand that some farmers and agribusinesses are frustrated that damaged electrical equipment remains on their properties.
The scale of the damage has resulted in unprecedented logistical challenges and we’re working as fast as we can to address the hazards.
Never assume a fallen power line is de-energised. Electricity is extremely dangerous.
Each hazard that’s reported is assessed within the entire scope of network repairs, including the number of customers affected, poles damaged and the scale of work that needs to be completed to restore power.
We completed repairs on the Mungarra to Geraldton transmission line on 1 May 2021 as planned.
We’re now working on the Moora to Three Springs transmission line and aim to have it energised by 7 May. From there the focus will be the Three Springs to Mungarra line, and we expect to be in that area until around 28 May.
In the meantime, we’re working with farmers and agribusinesses to see if we can adapt our schedule to meet any urgent customer needs.
We offer the following guidance to farmers to allow seeding to continue:
- If you have damaged electrical equipment on your property, if possible please keep a path clear for vehicles to access, as per the normal route that Western Power vehicles access your property. Our largest vehicles are 2.5m x 12m. Do not attempt to move the equipment yourself.
- If a pole / line is intact and remain standing (just bent / leaning): we’ll require sufficient space on either side of the line to drive a truck / elevated work platform. We may require space for a turning circle around the impacted pole/line.
- If a pole or line is fallen: we’ll require room around the affected asset for trucks / elevated work platforms to navigate around safely, space for crews to setup for repair work and adequate turning circle for the trucks / elevated work platforms.
From a safety perspective, we’re reiterating to all customers: please stay 8 metres away from any downed poles or wires on your property. If you haven’t already reported any electrical hazards on your property to us, please call 13 13 51 (24/7).