Kalgoorlie Storm Update Monday 10am
What you need to know
Glenney Wilson
The work of our community has been outstanding. Now the clean up is well underway and here are the details you need to know. Including Extended Power Outage Payments, Clean ups, Council Facilities for the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder and Shire of Coolgardie and more.
Audio:
Western Power – Paul Entwhistle
DFES – Superintendent Goldfields Midlands Trevor Tasker
City of Kalgoorlie Boulder CEO – John Walker
Acting Superintendent Goldfields Esperance Police – Glen Willers
Shire of Coolgardie – CEO James Trail
Kambalda:
Kambalda is without power and is a priority for Western Power Crews as well as water and sewerage infrastructure in the community
Western Power Update:
We will continue to restore electricity to more customers in the Goldfields today.
Overnight we restored approx. 3,000 customers including Coolgardie,and our crews are once again patrolling and repairing lines in the region to give the green light to restore more.
We are presently targeting two main lines in the West Kalgoorlie area, which should see power restored to Somerville by mid-morning.
Crews are also working on large complex jobs in Hannan Street near the Kalgoorlie Racecourse and in East Kalgoorlie. This work should hopefully allow power back to areas including parts of Porter Street mid morning.
Another focus is the Boulder area and Kambalda.
Our Network Operations control room will systematically re-energise parts of the network once they are cleared and made safe by crews. These crews have crews operating since the emergency on Saturday. Most crews have worked 16-hour shifts and are working in hot conditions and we need to ensure their safety and that of the public before power is turned back on.
Although the majority of hazards have been cleared there are still repairs that need to be completed to return some customers to network power. The widespread nature of the damage means some individual homes will be without power for several days. Most schools in the region are closed today.
But we are hoping to have the bulk of the Goldfields region with power by today.
We understand that this is frustrating to residents and businesses as power comes on for in stages in parts of the community.
If you believe equipment damage in your home is due to the network rather than the violent storm event on Saturday that ripped through Kalgoorlie then you can access claim forms on the Western Power website.
Customers who are eligible for the 12 hour extended outages payment from the state government can access those forms from our website as well.
If you see a fallen powerline of damaged pole call make the safe call to Western Power on 13 13 51 or if it is a life-threatening emergency, please call 000.
Power outage map for restoration times.
Schools:
The Following Schools are closed Today:
Goldfields Baptist College
John Paul College
St Mary’s Primary School
St Joseph’s Primary School
Please see the media statement below from the Education Department.
“Due to the power outage in Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie and Kambalda MOST schools will be closed tomorrow Monday 20 November.
PLEASE NOTE: The WACE media exam at Eastern Goldfields College will go ahead. Students are asked to present as planned to the arts centre at 8.50am for a 9.20am start. Students will be advised from there which room the exam will take place.
Kalgoorlie Primary School still has power and will be open as usual tomorrow.
Schools that are CLOSED tomorrow are listed below;
Hannans Primary School
North Kalgoorlie Primary School
East Kalgoorlie Primary School
South Kalgoorlie Primary School
Boulder Primary School
Kalgoorlie School of the Air
O’Connor Primary School
O’Connor Education Support Centre
Kalgoorlie Boulder Community High School
Eastern Goldfields Education Support Centre
Kalgoorlie Engagement Centre
Kambalda West District High School
Kambalda Primary School
Coolgardie Primary School
The Camp School will operate as normal.”
It is hoped that school will be back to normal on Tuesday
The Exams for Murdoch and Edith Cowan Students will take place at 1:30pm as scheduled at 34 Cheetham Street
Central Regional Tafe is also closed
Roads:
Patience is asked for motorists and most traffic lights are coming back on line.
Small delays as clean ups continue will be evident around the city
Drive with caution is the clear message.
Shops:
Starting to reopen and some may be affected by further power today
Most of West Kal was unaffected
Iceworks did a roaring trade and is rebuilding their products
Most petrol Stations are open and replenishing stocks as well
Council Facilities:
The following City of Kalgoorlie Boulder facilities will start the day closed and may remain this way all day
William Grundt Memorial Library
Kalgoorlie and Boulder Town Halls
Goldfields Oasis Rec Centre
Eastern Goldfields Community Centre
Customer Service Centre and City Living Team at the Markets Arcade
Meals on Wheels will be delivered to residents
The Airport is unaffected
Hammond and Kingsbury Parks are expected to be open today
There is FREE TIPPING for all storm debris, including asbestos and green waste, at Yarri Road Waste Facility. If people are disposing of asbestos, we ask that they please call ahead.
Don’t take risks with food. The unexpected power outages mean that people may face challenges in keeping their food at a safe temperature, and we don’t want to see any outbreaks of food related illnesses that could have been avoided. People can get compensation from Western Power for food that they have to throw out - https://westernpower.com.au/power_outages/make-a-claim/extended-outage/.
Please report any fallen trees or other storm related hazards as soon as possible.