Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 28 July 2005

Energy Safety launches prosecution of Western Power over Tenterden fire

State electricity and gas regulator Energy Safety is prosecuting Western Power over an alleged failure to ensure that the Quangellup three phase 22,000 volt power line was maintained in a safe condition.

This alleged failure was examined by the State Coroner at an Inquest into the Tenterden fire which concluded in February this year.

The fire, which occurred on December 27 2003, caused the deaths of two women, injuries to nine others and extensive property damage in the Tenterden area.  The State Coroner made an adverse finding against Western Power at the conclusion of the Inquest.

Director of Energy Safety Albert Koenig said that Western Power has now been served with a Prosecution Notice which charges Western Power with a breach of the regulations under the Electricity Act 1945.

The charge is that on December 27, 2003 Western Power failed to ensure that the supply of electricity through its Quangellup three phase 22,000 volt power line supplying electricity to the Tenterden area was carried out in such a way as to avoid or minimise any damage to property, inconvenience or other detriment; contrary to regulation 10(1)(c) of the Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001.

Mr Koenig said his department would allege that a "live" 22,000 volt conductor was shorting out with an under-slung earth wire on one of the spans of the Western Power overhead power line adjacent to Albany Highway near the Cranbrook turn-off, and that falling hot metal globules caused the ignition of dry stubble on the ground, resulting in the wildfire.

The maximum fine faced by Western Power is $20,000.

Mr Koenig said the prosecution would commence with a brief hearing on 17 August 2005 at the Magistrates' Court, Perth.