WESTERN Power is preparing for challenges in delivery during the next phase of the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution national schools construction program.
WESTERN Power is preparing for challenges in delivery during the next phase of the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution national schools construction program.
While the August national inquiry into the BER program delivered positive reports for Western Australia’s project management, Western Power is under increased pressure to deliver as a result of the influx of work.
“Western Power is scheduled to upgrade around 60 per cent of government schools and 40 per cent of private and Catholic schools, a massive effort on top of their normal works schedule of maintenance and new connections,” a spokesperson for the Department of Building Management and Works, which is part of the WA Department of Treasury and Finance, told WA Business News.
Given the amount of work required, planning has been an integral part of Western Power’s delivery of the required upgrades.
“Building Management and Works has been working closely with Western Power for over 12 months to roll-out these upgrades and Western Power is committed to meeting BER deadlines. Western Power has made all the necessary arrangements to program the works required and all schedules are being met,” the spokesperson said.
“At a number of sites where Western Power has not yet upgraded the power supply to a school, temporary arrangements may need to be made to enable early occupation. The temporary arrangements include load shedding from existing buildings but will not include additional temporary power.
“The Department of Education and BMW project managers will continue to liaise closely with school principals on this issue. There is not expected to be any disruption to the delivery of education services in schools receiving new BER buildings or any significant delays in the delivery of these projects.”
The National Electrical and Communications Association highlighted issues in electrical supply upgrades, with the organisation’s general manager WA Kyle Kutasi saying that, while he had not had complaints directly relating to the upgrades for BER projects, he did have concerns about Western Power’s ability to deliver, which could effectively delay the deadline of BER projects.
The BMW spokesperson said no schools were delayed due to electrical upgrade works.
“Even though new school buildings may have reached practical completion by the builder, there is a common misconception that this indicates the buildings are available for occupation by the school, this is not the case,” the spokesperson BMW said.
“The BER procurement program includes other items of work post-builder practical completion including interior fit-out, landscaping and power upgrades.”
