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NEWS FROM THE CHAMBERS
From The Works Department.
There have been some incidents over the last few weeks with power lines being hit by Machinery. A resident asked if
the Shire could look into what can be done about lifting some of the lines, on our major roads and through our
towns.
Shire Officers have been in touch with Western Power and have received correspondence back with regards to the
heights of the lines, the response was –
The Western Power minimum height standard for aerial conductor is 5.5 metres.
If any property owners are concerned with the height of the conductor it should be reported to our call centre on
13 13 51, for the height to be checked. The crew will verify the height and if required, bring the conductor to the
minimum requirement. Western Power is aware of the challenges of agricultural machinery coming into contact
with our network and are working with the farming community to address this. Remedial action may include;
installing additional poles in long bays to lift the conductor height, changing the standard rural 9 meter pole to
10.5 metre pole, tightening conductor or stay wires. Property owners can also request the height of the conductor
to be raised above the minimum standard, but this would be at the cost of the customer.
Shire Officers will be in touch with Western Power to ask them to conduct an audit on the heights of some of the
more strategic lines throughout the Shire. Should any resident have a line that they are having problems with please
contact Western Power in the first instance, and then contact the Shire so we can put that location on a list of known
danger spots and follow it up with Western Power.
It has come to the end of the financial year again, and I know some residents may not be happy with some of what
we are trying to achieve with in the Shire. This is the start of a new era where Shire staff are looking at the history of
works completed and now looking at maintaining Shire assets.
on a safety note, we are now coming into the wet season and residents are reminded that travelling on gravel roads
when wet is prohibited for RAV vehicles. We would ask if all road users can take care on the roads as winter
maintenance will soon commence. Please look out for our workers and give them enough warning and width to do
their work, please also make sure they can see you.
On a final please note if any residents have any questions, criticism or problems with the Works Department (roads,
drainage, parks and gardens and refuse sites) please contact the Works Manager. Concerned residents have not
contacted the Works Manager in recent times and asked why a particular project or job has been completed the way
it has. Please do not criticise the Shire works crew. They are only carrying out works that are considered to be in the
best interest of the Shire and for the longevity of Shire assets, I am only too willing to talk to residents on site to
alleviate any questions or problems they may have.
David Holland
Works & Services Manager
Calingiri Library will be closed for
renovations on the
8th & 9th June.