Western Power fined $80k over Wheatbelt bushfire

State government-owned Western Power has been fined $80,000 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure network safety, after confessing it was aware of the issue that caused the Wheatbelt bushfire last year.

In Perth Magistrates Court today, the electricity provider pleaded guilty to failing to ensure network safety in relation to the Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire after its power line conductors clashed on Febuary 6, 2022.

The power lines coming together caused the dry grass below to ignite, which turned into the massive blaze that tore through 18,000 hectares of farmland that killed livestock, destroyed sheds and houses and damaged machinery and fencing.

Building and Energy conducted an investigation into the bushfire and commenced proceedings against the power provider over alleged breaches of the Electricity Regulations 2015. 

The network safety regulator told the court its investigation found the distance between the power poles exceeded the prescribed limits.

"The separation between the conductors that clashed was also closer than the prescribed limits, causing a risk of arcing," BE said in a statement. 

Magistrate Stephen Butcher noted the network operator was aware of issues with the powerline bay and had not carried out remediation, requiring just two days’ work, prior to the fire.

Further, Magistrate Butcher considered victim impact statements from property owners, who described the physical, emotional and financial effects of the incident including fighting the fire and handling deceased livestock.

WA Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan welcomed Western Power’s guilty plea and acknowledged its improvement actions since the bushfire.

“This was a damaging and stressful incident for the affected land owners, many of whom are still dealing with the aftermath,” he said.

“Network operators have a duty to safely maintain their infrastructure. They will be held to account when these responsibilities are not upheld.

“Since this incident, Western Power has carried out remediation work at similar powerline bays to reduce the potential risks and it has agreed to strengthen its safety management systems.”