Vehicle fires risk important electricity infrastructure in Gunnedah

Electricity distributors are monitoring vehicle fire activity in the Wandobah Road area after another near-miss adjacent the substation last week.

A utility stolen from Curlewis early last Tuesday morning was later abandoned and set alight behind the electricity substation at the corner of Wattle Street and Wandobah Road.

The bushland location has been a dumping ground for stolen vehicles and of particular concern given its proximity to electricity infrastructure.

Often these deliberately lit vehicle fires are started throughout the night with few witnesses to alert authorities to the fire. This is allowing the blaze potentially even more time to ignite grass and surrounding vegetation near the substation.

Essential Energy, which builds, operates and maintains Australia’s largest electricity network, said the Wandobah Road facility plays an important role in distributing power to customers throughout the area.

“The Wandobah Zone Substation receives high-voltage electricity from the larger sub-transmission network and steps it down to a lower voltage suitable for distribution to homes and businesses across Gunnedah,” an Essential Energy spokesperson said.

“Zone substations are equipped with safety equipment to prevent faults and mitigate power outages, including protection devices that monitor for fire or other changes in the environment. Security is also key at these sites and taken very seriously.”

The spokesperson said upkeep is carried out regularly.

“Essential Energy runs a comprehensive maintenance program across the electricity network which includes maintenance within and throughout the grounds of our zone substations. This includes grass, vegetation and security maintenance, all of which is programmed to take place at the Wandobah Road, Gunnedah.

“Essential Energy is aware of recent vehicle fire activity near the Wandobah Road Zone substation, is monitoring the situation and will liaise with police as required.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service Liverpool Range District, which includes Gunnedah, was contacted for comment.