Now we all know the trees have to be cut back from the power lines, and nobody objects to this but there is a way of doing things and this lot from Cairns do not have a clue according to all the reports coming in

So far

Arriving 7.00 am Sunday morning - although they are not supposed to work weekends
Locking people out of their properties with WP locks or cutting chains of those locks in place
Not letting anyone know they are turning up - problems on security here to have strange people wandering around the place, also animal security.
Gates being left open - stock out on roads
Gates and fences being damaged
Trees being cut down when not marked, or damaged by the huge truck they use
debris being left in paddocks or on road verges blocking culverts and posing a fire risk
People not being able to do their fire breaks because of the debris
Bit late now for this lot to be driving across our dry paddocks

And so the list goes on

WP when contacted admits there are problems and have had community meetings in the country areas (we are not in this case country).

Seems there is a discussion paper available and WP would like input from the community - Discussion paper available on their website home page www.westernpower.com.au follow the link to "Working Together".

Let's have people's views

Ahah! So I am not the only one huh?

They came in and dug up a paddock turning their truck, then without a by your leave butchered the whole sides of two beautiful trees, right to the trunk, 9 metres away from the power lines. I cut a branch back about 3-4 metres maybe 20 years ago, and it only just needed attending to again.

I have complained to Active Tree Loppers, so far with no response. I will complain to WP.

There is still stuff lying on our verges from last year. Everybody pointed to everybody else.

I don't envy the chipping team. The branches have just been left where they fell, and getting some of the larger ones to the chipper will be a nightmare, to say nothing of the fact it's now getting dry and will be hell to chip.....if they ever get around to it.

Nick

I used to work at WP Enviro section and got the brunt of many complaints just like this. All I can suggest is gather evidence and complain like never before. Like a lot of company's, WP won't always make things right until a complaint is made. Saying that, they have a budget for such matters and rehabilitation of damaged land by WP contractors is one of them. WP wasn't all bad in this area though. Putting new gates on farmer's property's, placing their own lock together with the owners lock, and helping plant more trees on land were just some of the things they did. But leaving gates open with stock around isn't on. But unfortunately, this wasn't a rare occurance.

The other day they came onto our block, by surprise, as they do. Offered us a tonne of mulch which we gladly accepted. They tried to bill us for some tree lopping but agreed with us in the end that it was WP's idea to put the poles so close to the trees in the first place.

Also, if your complaint isn't heard, further your complaint to someone higher.

They tried to _bill_ you? That sounds fraudulent! Aren't they being paid anyway? Have you let WP know? If you are to be billed, as I understand it, you are supposed to be warned by WP, then given the chance to organise your own lopping.

At least if you were being offered mulch, they have started chipping, I guess.

Nick

Ok. I emailed WP and I have had a reply. However they are saying that unless they know exactly where the problem is they cannot work out who is responsible for the lines...surprise! <G>

I have told them Berry, Reserve, East, Copley-Dale, North east, because they are the ones I know about.

Was it wider than that?

Nick

Oh much wider Nick, throughout Gidgegannup, Toodyay Road, South of Toodyay Road, over towards Tilden Park - there's been a real party

I figured as much. This guy keeps saying he needs to know where it is, and I said the places I named but said there were much wider-spread issues and that "Gidgegannup" was probably specific enough.

Nick

Emails sometimes only go so far. I would go straight to phone calls to the manager. Just remember to keep it professional.

No, the tree loppers did give me time to get a quote. But I did a bit myself and left the more dangerous jobs and dared them to bill me.