Commerce Minister Michael Mischin and Energy Minister Mike Nahan recently announced privately-owned power poles and lines on private properties were the homeowner’s responsibility.
Mr Mischin said that if lines were supported by wooden poles in service for 25 years or more they may be getting towards the end of their service life and could be unsafe.
‘Property owners have always had a common law duty of care to maintain their assets and ensure they do not pose a danger to themselves or the community,’ he said.
‘The State Government is now alerting people to this responsibility to give them a chance to have their privately owned power poles and lines inspected.’
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Opposition energy spokesman Bill Johnston has criticised the campaign, saying the State had taken the easy option to run another campaign instead of fixing a failed maintenance system.
‘The Barnett Government has clearly put this in the too-hard basket and will leave it to mums and dads to inspect aging poles, when it should be carried out by qualified professionals,’ he said.