State Government unable to put a timeframe on Wickepin-Narrogin fire probe seven months after it started

The State Government still cannot put a time frame on its investigation into the cause of February’s devastating Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire — seven months after the probe was launched. The investigation comes after the Department of Fire and Emergency Services stated in March that the fire — which started near the intersection of Williams-Kondinin and Armstrong roads in the Shire of Cuballing — was accidental and caused by power lines coming together due to extreme weather conditions. The blaze scorched 18,000ha, killed livestock and destroyed sheds, machinery and fences prompting farmers to consider a class action against energy provider Western Power. Western Power installed a pole to shorten the distance between the lines after a second fire broke out on February 11, which was quickly extinguished. The investigation into the Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire — led by the Director of Energy Safety under the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety — started on February 10. It aims to “determine whether the fire could have originated from electrical assets in the vicinity,” according to WA Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan. “The investigation is by WA’s Director of Energy Safety, an independent statutory office,” he said. “The Building and Energy electrical inspectors undertaking the investigation are appointed by the director. “The investigation includes the network operator that owns the power lines and third-party expert assessments.” Agricultural Region MLC and Wickepin farmer Steve Martin asked about the progress of the investigation for a fourth time in State Parliament last week. He said farmers and community members who were affected by the bushfire deserved answers from the State Government. “It’s now September, I’m not quite sure what they are doing, but I know the farmers and the community involved would like a response,” he said. “It’s a long way from acceptable that we haven’t got one by now. “We’ve heard from Western Power early in the piece, but we haven’t heard from the people looking into the real cause of the fire and circumstances behind it. “It’s a really unsatisfactory response from the Government that this investigation is taking so long. “At this stage, we have every chance of getting to the next fire season and apparently the Government doesn’t know yet what caused the fire in the last bushfire season — that’s clearly not appropriate.” On Tuesday, a Western Power spokeswoman said they had completed their investigation and provided the findings to the Director of Building and Energy. “We’ve investigated how the clashing conductors occurred, which was identified as the accidental cause of the bushfire on February 6 by DFES,” the spokeswoman said. “The release of any report is a matter for Building and Energy.” Mr Abdoolakhan said the investigation was “progressing well” and was a “matter of priority” for Building and Energy. But he did not provide an estimate of when it might be completed. “Incidents of this nature require a thorough investigation with consideration of many factors,” he said. “Scene examination and expert testing have concluded. “Other investigative work is continuing, but this cannot be detailed as it may prejudice the investigation and further outcomes.” Mr Martin said he hoped the investigation would clearly outline the cause and circumstances of the fire. “I hope to get a clear picture of the cause of the fire and I hope to get a clearer picture whether that was a systemic problem or if it was a once-off unforeseen event,” he said. “I would like to see a broader picture from the people conducting the investigation. “And obviously if it calls for action and if there are recommendations out of the report, I would certainly like to see the Government follow through and do everything they can to ensure this doesn’t happen again.” The Western Power spokeswoman said the agency was working with insurers and claimants to “assess claims and make JUpayments as soon as possible”.