(Photo: Ergon Energy)
January 23, 2014
Ergon Energy has issued an alert to property owners to be aware of their responsibilities around private power poles on their land.
“The maintenance of power poles on private property is the responsibility of the property owner,” Ergon General Manager Service Delivery Northern Paul Ryan said.
“To help ensure the safety and reliability of their electricity supply, it is important that property owners, with the help of a licensed electrical contractor, regularly check and maintain these poles – at least every five years under current State regulation.”
Mr Ryan said in the past 12 months there had been 20-30 incidents where privately owned poles had failed in Ergon Energy’s territory.
“Currently we visually check the first pole on a property because it is connected to our network, but no other poles on the property,” he said.
“Poles owned by Ergon Energy can be identified through a pole number, which is located approximately 2.4m above the ground on the side of the pole.”
Ergon has produced brochures outlining private power pole owner responsibilities and information is available on the corporation’s website.
