❓ A parliamentary question regarding Western Power's contract with Active Tree Services, focusing on tree lopping procedures, resident notification, appeals, and complaint statistics. The response provides details on decision-making, notification periods, appeal processes, and complaint data.
AnsweredQoN 5233Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Western Power's contract with Active Tree Services, a contractor employed to assess and lop trees that may impact on power lines, and I ask -
(1) Who decides which trees are to be lopped?
(2) What is the notification period for residents that trees on private property will be lopped?
(3) What is the notification period for nearby residents that trees on public property will be lopped?
(4) What is the process for residents to appeal against any decisions made by Active Tree Services?
(5) How many complaints have been made about decisions to lop private trees since the commencement of Western Power's contract with Active Tree Service? Please provide year by year figures.
(6) How many appeals have been received against decisions to lop private trees since the commencement of Western Power's contract with Active Tree Service? Please provide year by year figures.
(1) Who decides which trees are to be lopped?
(2) What is the notification period for residents that trees on private property will be lopped?
(3) What is the notification period for nearby residents that trees on public property will be lopped?
(4) What is the process for residents to appeal against any decisions made by Active Tree Services?
(5) How many complaints have been made about decisions to lop private trees since the commencement of Western Power's contract with Active Tree Service? Please provide year by year figures.
(6) How many appeals have been received against decisions to lop private trees since the commencement of Western Power's contract with Active Tree Service? Please provide year by year figures.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
58 days
(1) Western Power decides which trees are to be pruned based on recommendations received through its Vegetation Management Inspection contractors. Their recommendations are based on EnergySafety's
Guidelines for the management of vegetation near power lines
.
(2) Western Power initially provides 30 days' written notice. If the trees are still within the clearance zone at the end of 30 days, an urgent reminder notice is sent, which provides a further 7 days to comply.
(3) Western Power does not notify nearby residents when trees on public property are to be pruned
(4) If a resident does not agree with the assessment made by the responsible officer, they may ask to have the decision reviewed.
A qualified member of the Western Power vegetation management team will re-assess the determination of its contractor. If the appeal is made after a tree has been cut, as well as this assessment, Western Power provides the resident with a written response along with any additional evidence collected, including before-and-after photographs and copies of notices issued.
If still unsatisfied, as outlined in Western Power's Customer Charter, the owner may request the complaint to be reviewed by a senior Western Power employee or may contact the Energy Ombudsman, who receives, investigates and resolves complaints against energy companies.
(5) Up until July 2011, Western Power records vegetation complaints did not distinguish between those undertaken by Active Tree Services and any others.
From July 2011 to 27 April 2012, Western Power has received 30 vegetation complaints where the work was undertaken by Active Tree Services.
(6) Western Power does not differentiate between an "appeal" and a complaint.
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Guidelines for the management of vegetation near power lines
.
(2) Western Power initially provides 30 days' written notice. If the trees are still within the clearance zone at the end of 30 days, an urgent reminder notice is sent, which provides a further 7 days to comply.
(3) Western Power does not notify nearby residents when trees on public property are to be pruned
(4) If a resident does not agree with the assessment made by the responsible officer, they may ask to have the decision reviewed.
A qualified member of the Western Power vegetation management team will re-assess the determination of its contractor. If the appeal is made after a tree has been cut, as well as this assessment, Western Power provides the resident with a written response along with any additional evidence collected, including before-and-after photographs and copies of notices issued.
If still unsatisfied, as outlined in Western Power's Customer Charter, the owner may request the complaint to be reviewed by a senior Western Power employee or may contact the Energy Ombudsman, who receives, investigates and resolves complaints against energy companies.
(5) Up until July 2011, Western Power records vegetation complaints did not distinguish between those undertaken by Active Tree Services and any others.
From July 2011 to 27 April 2012, Western Power has received 30 vegetation complaints where the work was undertaken by Active Tree Services.
(6) Western Power does not differentiate between an "appeal" and a complaint.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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