Power pole owners face switch to steel
Thousands of landholders who own ageing wooden power poles could be forced to replace them with steel ones in a bid to head off concerns they are a major fire safety risk.
Two years after a private power pole sparked a blaze that destroyed 56 homes in the suburbs of Parkerville and Stoneville, WA's electricity safety watchdog has flagged tougher new rules governing people's legal responsibilities for them.
There are about 200,000 privately owned power poles spread across WA's southern half, with many believed to be older than 25 years and unsafe.
In a consultation paper released last week, EnergySafety recommended that all new or replacement powerlines run underground.
Where this was not feasible, the watchdog said it would consider mandating the use of steel rather than wooden poles, while they would also need to have insulated conductors.
EnergySafety said this was because of the "superior performance" of steel poles, which lasted longer than wooden ones if they were protected properly, withstood fires better and were easier to inspect and maintain.
It noted the extra safeguards - including galvanisation, concrete bases and protective coating - would add to the cost of installing or replacing a pole.
But EnergySafety said the extra costs, estimated to be between $100 and $150 per installation, would be more than offset by the longer pole life.
Despite preferring steel poles, EnergySafety proposed allowing landholders in less fire-prone areas such as the Wheatbelt to be able to choose wooden ones, noting they were often more suited to the region's saline soils.
Gary Itzstein, from the National Electrical and Communications Association WA, backed the proposals, though he said it would take contractors time to adjust to the new measures.
Forest Industries Federation chief Melissa Haslam rejected suggestions wooden poles were more susceptible to fire damage.
She also said that steel poles were more likely to electrocute people in the event of equipment failure.
EnergySafety is expected to make a decision on the new regulations later this year.
