Troublesome trees
Example 1
Mrs E contacted EOQ concerned that after she and her husband had paid their deposit to have power extended to their new property, the energy supplier wanted payment for tree clearing. Mrs E did not see why they had to pay for tree clearing on Council land as there was no tree clearing required on their property. When EOQ investigated with the energy supplier it was determined that Mr and Mrs E had signed a contract accepting tree clearing as their responsibility.
After intervention by EOQ the energy supplier agreed to absorb the cost of the consultant it had employed to determine the extent of tree clearing required and for Mr and Mrs E to obtain their own quotes from approved tree clearing contractors. The cost of the tree clearing was then substantially reduced.
Example 2
Mr F contacted EOQ because the local energy supplier's vegetation contractor had cut down five trees on the nature strip outside his residence and not cleared up the debris. He claimed two of the trees were inside his property boundary and the energy supplier had not sought permission or given any reason for the removal of the trees. He wanted the stumps removed and replacement trees.
When EOQ contacted the energy supplier it stated the Council had given permission for the removal of the trees and the trees were outside the boundary of Mr F's property. Mr F advised his fence was behind the nature strip and survey pegs clearly marked the boundary of his property. He reiterated that two of the trees were within his property. Mr F claimed Council had given permission for tree contractors to clear vegetation around the electricity lines but not to remove the trees.
The energy supplier agreed to grind out the stumps and supply power line friendly trees.
