Pete Marcroft had no idea whether or not Powerco was looking into his inquiries about trees growing through power lines over three years. Photo / Stuart Munro
Pete Marcroft had no idea whether or not Powerco was looking into his inquiries about trees growing through power lines over three years. Photo / Stuart Munro
In 2016 Turakina resident Pete Marcroft noticed that the trees on a neighbouring property were no longer being trimmed back and had begun growing through power lines.
Marcroft was concerned by the weight of the branches putting a strain on the four lines and the fact that they were connected to the same transformer as his on Edenmore Rd.
Having observed the lines arcing, glowing and buzzing among the branches during rainfall, as well as power flickers, Marcroft worried about power cuts and surges.
On September 5, 2016, Marcroft sent Powerco an email outlying his concerns and a week later a vegetation manager told him he would assess the situation.
Marcroft, a landscaper who has lived at the address for 12 years, waited for the outcome, but it never came. He waited for three years.
Marcroft said that the lines arc, glow and buzz among the branches during rainfall. Photo / Stuart Munro
"He emailed saying he would be down in the area next week, but I didn't see anyone. I never heard anything more about it," Marcroft said.
"I waited a year and contacted them through Facebook Messenger. They replied with a generic message saying they would send someone out for a look. Again, nothing back."
Marcroft tried a different tactic last year, posting a picture of the trees growing through the lines on a Powerco Facebook post, but it was ignored.
Having access to power is important at all properties, but maybe even more so at Marcroft's where without it the water pump will cease to function, cutting off their supply.
Marcroft had no idea whether anyone had visited the area on either occasion until he was contacted by Powerco the same day the Whanganui Chronicle emailed them an inquiry.
Powerco general manager service delivery Ian Skipworth had a different date, saying they were contacted by Marcroft in 2015, but confirmed someone had been to the site.
"A vegetation manager assessed the trees and it was lodged as a defect in the Powerco system, although it was not deemed a high priority at that time," Skipworth said.
"Unfortunately, it appears that Mr Marcroft may not been contacted at this time to explain the outcome which we apologise for."
Property owners are legally obliged to keep their trees well clear of power lines as per the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 New Zealand legislation.
If a tree is within four metres of the overhead lines, it must be cut or trimmed by an approved contractor.
Skipworth said Powerco understands that not everyone knows the importance of keeping their trees well clear of power lines.
"Powerco keeps an eye out for trees near poles and wires and offers to pay for the first cut in the life of a tree to keep it a safe distance from power lines," he said.
"From then on, the tree owner is responsible for paying to keep their trees clear of power lines."
