Western Australian electricity network operator Western Power has sent notices to approximately 1,000 residents with privately owned power poles on their properties telling them to replace the pole or face having their electricity disconnected, according to ABC News.
Western Power began the private power pole inspection program in 2021 after a fallen pole on private property sparked the 2014 Parkerville bushfires, which lead to the destruction of of 57 homes.
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A Western Australian Court of Appeal found Western Power had failed in its duty of care to avoid risk or damage by not conducting periodic assessments of poles on private property.
Western Power has since issued notices to about 1,000 customers, giving them either 30 or 90 days to have their poles replaced or risk having the power disconnected.
“Community safety is fundamental, so if we can’t ensure a safe supply of electricity, we may need to disconnect electricity supply until the pole is safe,” a Western Power spokesperson told ABC News.
Many owners have been surprised to discover are legally and financially responsible for these power poles.
“I knew the pole was there, but I thought it was just part of Western Power and didn’t give it another thought,” one resident told ABC Radio Perth.
“Then they sent me a notice saying that it was recommended that the pole be replaced. The average quote comes in around $5,000.”
Western Power asset management executive manager Gair Landsborough told ABC Radio Perth that approximately 80% of the 150,000 private power poles in Western Power’s network had been inspected, with the final 20% due to be checked by early 2025.
“Typically, what we recommend if you get a notice like that is to engage a professional electrical contractor to come in and assess the pole and give you options about replacement if that is required,” Landsborough said.
He said disconnecting the power was a “last resort” when a pole was considered at high risk.
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“If you get a 30 or 90-day [notice] that’s quite a high-risk condition that means, if it’s a wood pole, it’s either got termites or rot. If it’s a steel pole, it’s actually corroded at the bottom and presents a real risk.
“We’ve had very few cases where power has actually been disconnected.”
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