A $1.1 million package of works by Western Power to enhance the network for homes and businesses in Augusta, Karridale and surrounds is now complete.
The work included the replacement of around 70 poles and 12.5km of conductor along the main feeder line between Karridale and Augusta.
Western Power Acting Executive Manager of Asset Operations Brett Hovingh said the work highlighted the business’s commitment to continually upgrading and replacing infrastructure in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.
“Residents in Augusta, Karridale and surrounds will benefit from enhanced network resilience against seasonal and environmental impacts and the improved safety and reliability performance of the network,” Mr Hovingh said.
“We expect that this work will bring valuable improvements to reliability of power supply by helping to reduce any potential outage duration and frequency and create a more resilient network which will benefit the whole community,” he said.
The package of works, which also involved changing insulators and crossarms on existing poles, was undertaken in two stages by crews from Western Power’s Vasse and Bridgetown depots.
Some planned outages were necessary during the upgrade works to ensure the safety of residents and crews.
“To minimise any impact on the community while some of the work was undertaken, a temporary large-scale generator was deployed to support homes and businesses in the area,” he said.
“Major storm events in January which impacted a significant part of the network and coupled with total fire ban days in February this year, led to some delays in completing these works. We thank the community for their understanding and patience.”