Western Power pulls plug on Geraldton cathedral over corella damage

Western Power visited St Francis Xavier Cathedral this morning and turned off the electricity, according to Father Robert Cross.

He said it was due to exposed wiring caused by corellas chewing electrical fixtures, but hoped they could re-open later today after electricians had isolated the dangerous circuits.

“I guess it was almost inevitable given the inaction of the government to do anything about this very serious problem,” he said.

Father Cross said corella damage was a serious health and safety issue.

“One of the cables is dangling into a gutter with water in it,” he said.

“We have had instances of people climbing onto our roofs unauthorised, and there is the possibility someone turning on one of the circuits could suffer electrocution.”

Father Cross said if Western Power were to inspect other Geraldton buildings he suspected “half the buildings in the city” would be closed down.