FOLLOWING a number of bushfires on the Yorke Peninsula last month, the state government is being accused of not helping to address "faulty electricity infrastructure" across the state.
The Labor Party launched the attack after the most major blaze starting at Yorketown had been attributed to a "power network fault".
"The CEPU (Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union) says there are 400,000 notifications relating to faults in SA electricity distribution network infrastructure," opposition emergency services spokesperson Lee Odenwalder said.
"It is understood SAPN is aware of high bushfire defects in high bushfire risk areas - these are designated as Z codes, but are not publicly released.
"What is the Marshall Liberal Government doing about this? Summer has only just begun and we've already had one bushfire started by faulty energy infrastructure.
"The government must meet with SAPN urgently to ensure these risks are addressed."
RELATED READING: Alert SA app back online
RELATED READING: Lessons from past help with YP fire recovery
But SAPN corporate affairs manager Paul Roberts said there were no identified bushfire risk-defects (Z codes) on any power line in a bushfire risk area on the day of the Yorketown fire.
"There have not been any changes to the way we approach bushfire risk since Labor was in office and we continue to be regarded as having the most effective and targeted program in Australia to minimise the potential for fire starts," he said.
"Our approach to asset management and bushfire risk is agreed annually with the government's Office of the Technical Regulator and has been signed off over many decades.
"We ensure known fire-risk defects are dealt with prior to the fire season start or as they are identified in our ongoing asset inspections during the fire season.
"But even lines in the best of condition may be involved in a fire start on days like we had on November 20.
"That is an inevitable consequence of an overhead electricity network and that is why we do everything in our power to minimise the risk."
A government spokesperson said the government regularly engaged with SAPN regarding possible bushfire risks.
"If Labor or the union has any information regarding bush fire risks it should be provided to the Government's OTR immediately," the spokesperson said.
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.