Page 2007 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2017
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MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Milligan, to clarify, I do not think there is a minister for energy; the Chief Minister is taking the question.
MR BARR: The question relates to ActewAGL, so I will take the question. The answer is, as I am advised by ActewAGL, that there are three specific issues: cable faults; system-protection tripping measures that shut down the system when a certain significant event occurs; and in one instance I am advised that a cable was cut by accident by a third party. Those are the explanations for each of the incidents.
MR MILLIGAN: Chief Minister, are any of the blackouts caused by light rail construction? Will the network have sufficient capacity to power the trams whilst maintaining reliable residential and commercial power supply?
MR BARR: I have been advised that they relate, as I said, to cable faults, a system shutdown mechanism where a certain issue occurs and the system goes into a protective mode and one incident where a third party cut a cable by accident. I do not believe that the assertion made by the member is accurate but I will seek further advice from ActewAGL.
MR COE: Treasurer, who is actually responsible for investigating the cause or causes of these power outages, and will the ACT government pay for it, either directly or indirectly?
MR BARR: ActewAGL are the network provider. They are a private entity that is owned 50 per cent by China State Grid and Singapore Power, through Jemena, and 50 per cent by the ACT government through Icon Water.
Light rail—utilities disruption
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, what notice are residents and businesses given if they are going to experience a planned interruption of either electricity or telecommunications supply due to work on the light rail?
MS FITZHARRIS: Certainly in respect of the construction activities along the stage 1 light rail route being managed by Canberra Metro, in close consultation with Transport Canberra and City Services, they engage in a number of different ways of talking both broadly to the community about the construction activities and very specifically about construction activities as well.
I do not believe at this point that there has been specific reference to planned outages for telecommunications or electricity. Certainly, if there is a nearby impact on the road network, local residents will both receive a letter and likely be doorknocked by the Canberra Metro team as well.
In addition, anybody can sign up to receive the weekly updates from the Canberra Metro team regarding stage 1 construction activities as well as be on an SMS list to receive more urgent updates.
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