INTEGRAL ENERGY MEETS LOCALS RE BLACK CHRISTMAS FIRES

A public meeting was held on 10 April with Integral Energy to assist in clearing up some of the questions related to submitting a claim to Integral Energy.
Representatives from Integral Energy including Simon Draper, GM Commercial, heading up the compensation task force, were present at the meeting, indicating the importance that Integral Energy placed on communicating with the community.
Simon introduced Integral Energy’s approach to claims submitted. Integral is trying to fairly receive, assess and process claims and there are a number of claims that have already been paid.
Those who feel they have or may have a claim should contact Integral Energy’s Compensation Task Force on 1800 818 244 and discuss their situation with Integral Energy’s staff. Integral Energy’s preference is to personally manage these cases, given that circumstances do vary from person to person.
Integral Energy answered a number of questions from those present and entered into a number of discussions about various points of concern from those at the meeting.
Simon Draper pointed out that Integral Energy is trying to handle claims in as personal a way as possible and individuals should talk directly with Integral Energy’s Compensation Task Force. Claims are being processed as quickly as possible with priority on the property component of the claim.
As at the time of the meeting, some twenty claims were in the process of being settled and over 160 people had contacted Integral Energy in regard to claims.
Integral indicated that they would take away a number of issues raised by individuals and will respond to them.
Information is available from Integral Energy’s web site at www.integral.com.au\assist
We thank Integral representatives for their time and local resident Lionel Rattenbury for facilitating the meeting.
Representatives of Keddies, Litigation Lawyers, were also present at the meeting representing a number of local residents. Their contact details are Melinda Griffiths 9698 9344.
Another meeting is proposed for the 8.30pm on Thursday 15 May at Coastlands, Cemetery Rd, Helensburgh. Please pass the word around. Warwick Erwin
We are pleased to publish information concerning the Black Christmas bush fires from the Coronial inquiry which resulted in Integral Energy accepting responsibility for the fires. The following information was provided by Integral Energy through media releases and fact sheets concerning their efforts to compensate those affected and to outline remedial measures they have taken to prevent future occurrences. Editor

Integral Energy to compensate residents and businesses for December 2001 Appin Road fire
Integral Energy released details of its plans to compensate residents and businesses now believed to have been affected by a network incident that occurred during the 2001 bushfires. Integral Energy expressed deep regret over the incident. “We feel greatly for the people who suffered and we are preparing to compensate them promptly and fairly for their loss”, said Integral Energy CEO Richard Powis.
Based on information provided to the Coroner by the Police, Integral Energy expects to offer compensation to about 40 people who suffered property loss or damage, including homes and businesses. Integral Energy acknowledges that there may be other people who may have suffered loss or damage: these claims will be dealt with as they arise.
According to the Police Strike Force that investigated the fire, the damage is estimated at $9.5 million in Appin, Wedderburn, Darkes Forest, Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops, Waterfall and Heathcote.
The announcement follows a year-long police investigation on behalf of the NSW Coroner into the possible causes of the Appin Road fire in December 2001.
The Coroner, Magistrate Michael Price, examined a series of statements, including reports submitted by Integral Energy about a grass fire that started near Inghams Chickens in Appin Road, Appin on 25 December 2001.
Integral Energy commenced an internal investigation into this incident after being contacted by the NSW Police on 22 January 2002. The Police were investigating reports that Integral Energy’s electricity network may have started a grass fire after low voltage conductors clashed during high winds.
Integral Energy’s investigation confirmed there was evidence that its low voltage conductors over the site of the fire had clashed resulting in arcing of conductors. However, this report was not able to establish if the fire had spread to other areas. Integral Energy then submitted its report to the Coroner, while seeking further information from Strike Force Toronto about the cause and the path of the fire.
Based on subsequent accounts provided by the NSW Fire Brigade, the Rural Fire Service, and the NSW Police, the Coroner concluded that arcing of the conductors caused the Appin Road grass fire.
Evidence presented to the Coroner indicated that the fire, fanned by wind gusts up to 80km/h, and fueled by extremely dry undergrowth and high temperatures, spread rapidly in a north easterly direction.
Integral Energy’s internal review was not able to determine the spread of the Appin Road fire without the evidence now available from the Strike Force, and the Coroner’s findings.
“Now that the Coroner’s findings have been handed down, Integral Energy has activated a compensation task force designed to assist people who may have been affected as a result of this fire,” Mr Powis said.
“As a responsible energy company, we have worked closely with Strike Force Toronto over the course of the past year to establish the actual causes and spread of the Appin Road grass fire. We regret the delay in compensating people, however it was important for the Coroner to thoroughly investigate this fire and deliver his findings before taking action.
Integral Energy’s compensation task force is designed to manage claims promptly and fairly. Headed by a general manager, its first step will be to visit those people who lost homes and businesses to assist with their inquiries. However, the compensation process is complex as it also involves a number of insurance companies who have already managed our customers’ compensation claims,” Mr Powis said.
The compensation task force can be contacted on weekdays on 1800 818 244, 8am to 6pm.
Mr Powis said that last year, Integral Energy had carefully inspected its low voltage network for bush fire risks, and carried out a program of improvements consistent with best practice network management.
Details about Integral Energy’s compensation package, along with information regarding its network improvements, are contained in the following fact sheets.
Media contact: Ed Husic phone 9853 6209 or 0417 275 060 news@integral.com.au.

Change of Life… coming home with a new baby: We will talk about breastfeeding a baby in the early days. An ideal get-together for new mums and mums-to-be. A special welcome to new dads and dads-to-be. Saturday 24 May at 10am.
For information on Breastfeeding and Early Parenting Workshops, please ring Hazel on 4294 4120. These are held on Saturdays and are designed for expectant parents, covering the basic information needed to breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding while natural, is still a learned skill for both mother and baby and it helps to learn as much as you can before the birth.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a voluntary non-profit organisation. Our aim is to encourage and support mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies. If you would like to find out more about your local group, please ring one of your local counsellors: Jenny (4267 3987), Hazel (4294 4120), Tracey (9520 3379) or Lee (4294 1114). Alternatively, ring the Helpline on 9639 8686.FACTSHEET 1:
Integral Energy compensation package
Integral Energy has activated a Compensation Task Force designed to assist people who may have been affected as a result of the Appin fire.
The Compensation Task Force is designed to manage claims promptly and fairly.
Headed by Simon Draper, General Manager Commercial, its first step will be to visit those people who may have been affected by the fire to assist with their inquiries.
Based on information provided to the Coroner and now available to Integral Energy, we expect to offer compensation to about 40 people who suffered property loss or damage, including homes and businesses. There may be other people who suffered loss or damage, and we will deal with these claims as they arise.
The compensation package includes:
• Personal contact by Integral Energy with all people who suffered loss or damage to property and/or possessions, whether or not they were insured, and who were identified in evidence given to the Coroner.
• Acceptance of claims from other residents and businesses who can justify loss or damage in the area affected by this fire.
• Speedy processing and payment of claims by the compensation task force.
• Engagement of an independent arbiter to assist with any disputes over claims. The decision of the arbiter will be binding.
People or businesses can make a claim for compensation if they:
1. Suffered a loss as a result of the bushfires that commenced on 25 December 2001 and extended to 6 January 2002, in Appin, Darkes Forest, Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops, Wedderburn and Waterfall.
2. Owned a property or business and sustained a loss during the fire, or lived in the area at the time of the fire and suffered a loss, eg occupied a rental property.
3. Are claiming for recovery of loss that occurred as a direct result of the fire, as follows:
• Property loss - house, contents, other buildings and improvements (eg garage and sheds), motor vehicles and boats (other plant), and business assets
• Consequential costs directly associated with property damage.
• Economic loss directly associated with property damage.
Residents and businesses who have questions about compensation can:
• call the Compensation Task Force on 1800 818 244, 8am and 6pm, weekdays
• send information by fax to 1800 626 648.
FACTSHEET 2:
Integral Energy network improvements
e-mail assist@integral.com.au

Integral Energy has put in place comprehensive and concrete measures designed to minimise bushfire risks associated with its assets. The actions Integral Energy has taken to improve its network include:
• The installation of over 23,000 low voltage spreaders since last summer, to minimise the possibility of conductor clashing.
• A thorough audit of the low voltage network. This audit identified possible sources of bushfire initiation and assigned a level of risk for each source.
• Inspecting 203,000 spans of low voltage construction to check that the network complies to standards for the fitting of spreaders. The inspection of rural areas was completed before the declared 2002 bushfire season. Integral Energy is continuing inspections of our network in lower risk urban areas.
• The further development, enhancement and deployment of a bushfire risk management plan and procedures. Progress against the plan is reported monthly to senior management. This plan has been endorsed by the NSW Ministry of Energy and Utilities.
• Ensured that every Integral Energy Elevated Work Platform (vehicles designed to give employees ready access to the overhead network) carries spare spreaders as a matter of policy.
• Reviewed the standards for the fitting of spreaders to ensure spreaders are installed on all spans in excess of 45m and in shorter spans under certain conditions (eg dissimilar conductor types, proximity to trees, unequal tensions etc).
• Improved the clarity of workplace instructions and manuals for staff working on the low voltage network. These procedures cover work practices that carry the risk of igniting fires, fire related vehicle issues, fire fighting equipment to be carried on vehicles and notification to staff of the declaration of a total fire ban.
• Improved access to documentation for staff. A full set of documents containing all standards and workplace instructions has been prepared and issued to all field service centres across the Integral Energy franchise area.
* Improved design policies regarding poles and overhead conductors. The changes include the increased use of concrete poles and insulated or covered conductors on selected portions of the 11kV and low voltage systems.
• Reviewed areas designated as fire prone. Lines in these areas are patrolled before the start of each bushfire season to identify fire related defects. Helicopters have also been used in pre summer network patrols.
• Placed organisational emphasis on the minimisation of fire related asset defects in fire prone areas. Senior management reviews progress on bushfire defect rectification on a weekly basis to ensure compliance to program.
• Devised and implemented a comprehensive customer awareness program relating to bushfires and power line safety. We issued an account insert on bushfire safety to our 780,000 customers. A targeted radio and press campaign was developed ahead of the bushfire season warning customers and the public of hazards associated with power lines during the bushfire season.