BULLSBROOK residents are calling for urgent action to address chronic power outages that are impacting daily life, local businesses, and putting vulnerable community members at risk.

Bullsbrook resident Amy Silvestro said she purchased her Perth Hills home in May last year and experienced her first planned outage shortly after moving in.

“We were warned by many about frequent power outages, both planned and unplanned,” she said.

“Our first planned power outage occurred shortly after we moved in.”

The issue has become particularly pressing for Mrs Silvestro and her husband, who run an auto glass business from their property.

The outages have repeatedly disrupted their ability to work and serve customers.

“There have been so many times that this has prevented me from being able to do my day-to-day work,” Mrs Silvestro said.

She said what made the outages especially challenging was their knock-on impact.

“Bullsbrook is a small, closeknit community, and even in the short time we’ve lived here, you get to know people,” she said.

“You hear them in the chemist, supermarkets, service stations and on the community pages all voicing their concerns and how it affects them.

“Bullsbrook also has many older residents, parents with young families, etcetera, who may not be able to drive or have the means to leave their home on a hot day without electricity.

“It’s left us feeling that no one is listening to our concerns and not knowing either who to speak to or how to address it to try and take it further.”

The response to the reports of power outages has been mixed with some community members actively contacting the local government, news outlets and using social media to voice concerns, but others have learned to live with it.

Long-time residents often suggest buying a generator to cope with outages, although other residents have rejected this advice due to prohibitive costs.

“Many properties in the area, including mine, lose access to running water when the power goes out, as we rely on water pumps,” Mrs Silvestro said.

“The outages affect local businesses, small businesses in the area, those who work from home and their abilities to earn an income.

“Food spoilage, fuel to run generators, driving to another area, family or friends, and having to eat out are all extra expenses associated with these outages, not to mention the stress of it all.”

A Western Power spokesperson said they were aware of the community’s frustrations and understand recent outages have been inconvenient.

“We always work to restore power as quickly as possible, with the safety of the community and our crews the priority,” the spokesperson said.

Bullsbrook’s widely dispersed population and fire-prone terrain present unique challenges.

Power lines traverse bushfire-risk areas, and during summer months, requiring Western Power to adjust network protection settings to reduce fire risk, which can extend restoration times as crews must patrol lines before restoring power.

“The cause of the outages has been varied including lightning, storms, vegetation impacting the network, and equipment damage,” the spokesperson said.

Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard said she was also aware of the issue and confirms that she has been contacted by residents.

“I am working closely with the minister and relevant agencies to seek clarity on the cause of the outages and to ensure that steps are being taken to improve reliability and prevent further disruptions where possible,” she said.

“I will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of the Bullsbrook community and keep residents informed as more information becomes available.

“I understand how frustrating and disruptive this has been for local residents and businesses.”

Mrs Silvestro says more needs to be done as the suburb continues to expand.

“Bullsbrook is the picture of perfection, it’s a beautiful place that’s set to grow and grow, but if that’s the case, something needs to be done.”