Dr LIM - 1996-08-14
We have read about, or have known, people who have come to strife through attempting to trim trees away from powerlines. We know the dangers of high-tension wires. What does the Power and Water Authority recommend regarding tree trimming near powerlines?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, every year in the lead-up to the Wet, the Power and Water Authority launches a public awareness campaign related to tree trimming. The campaign is called `Look up and Live'. It highlights the need for people to be aware of the dangers of overhead powerlines, particularly where trees are concerned. Most people realise that powerlines and trees do not mix. Recently, a woman, who was picking mangoes, climbed the tree and accidentally touched a high-voltage line with the mango-picking implement. She received a very severe shock. In fact, she was thrown out of the tree and sustained some injuries. The implement stayed on the wire and caused a power outage. Technicians had to switch the system off and attend to the problem. It did not cause a fatality, but it certainly caused injury.
I am advised that Power and Water Authority personnel state that 50% of call-outs for electrical outages are as a result of trees touching powerlines. This year, unseasonal conditions have resulted in a number of strange phenomena. Mangoes are fruiting early and picking mangoes poses a risk. As well, people trimming trees on their own property or on nature strips need to be very aware of the dangers involved. I refer here to a story that PAWA technicians recently told me. They received a phone call from a fellow who was apparently in a tree. Every time he moved, he experienced a vibrating tingle. Luckily, he had his mobile phone in his back pocket. He rang PAWA, explained what was happening and asked for help. Apparently, the whole tree had become alive from a branch resting on the high-voltage line. Officers from PAWA went and rescued him. That story highlights the dangers that are involved when trimming trees.
The Power and Water Authority has issued a pamphlet that provides very clear guidelines for both the planting and the trimming of trees. Information is given about the types of trees people should be planting to avoid these problems. The authority also has a tree trimming information service that is listed in the phone book. People really should make inquiries if they have a problem with the pruning of trees.
Of concern to me is some correspondence that I have had from the member for Fannie Bay. In it, she suggested that people should be encouraged to lop their own trees. I urge her to be very careful about advice she gives her constituents in relation to that because there is a risk of serious injury or fatality. I think she should advise them to ring the Power and Water Authority, who are the experts on this matter, and not ...
Ms Martin: Are you saying that people should not lop their own trees?
Mr MANZIE: No. I have just spoken about the dangers that may be involved. I am concerned that, in a letter you wrote to me, you suggested `that householders should be given
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the chance to do their own lopping'. I say simply that you should be very careful when giving advice about that. Instead of being the expert yourself, I suggest you advise your constituents to ring the Power and Water Authority in this regard.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Okay, if you want to be the expert. People listening to the radio will probably understand very clearly ...
A member: You have been at it again, Clare.
Mr Reed: If you listen to Clare, you might be electrocuted.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: I simply say to people that, if their local member is giving them advice about lopping their own trees, they should not take it as gospel, but ring the Power and Water Authority. The relevant telephone number is 89247111. PAWA welcomes inquiries from the public about tree lopping. I do not believe that the member for Fannie Bay is really qualified to say whether people should lop their own trees.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, every year in the lead-up to the Wet, the Power and Water Authority launches a public awareness campaign related to tree trimming. The campaign is called `Look up and Live'. It highlights the need for people to be aware of the dangers of overhead powerlines, particularly where trees are concerned. Most people realise that powerlines and trees do not mix. Recently, a woman, who was picking mangoes, climbed the tree and accidentally touched a high-voltage line with the mango-picking implement. She received a very severe shock. In fact, she was thrown out of the tree and sustained some injuries. The implement stayed on the wire and caused a power outage. Technicians had to switch the system off and attend to the problem. It did not cause a fatality, but it certainly caused injury.
I am advised that Power and Water Authority personnel state that 50% of call-outs for electrical outages are as a result of trees touching powerlines. This year, unseasonal conditions have resulted in a number of strange phenomena. Mangoes are fruiting early and picking mangoes poses a risk. As well, people trimming trees on their own property or on nature strips need to be very aware of the dangers involved. I refer here to a story that PAWA technicians recently told me. They received a phone call from a fellow who was apparently in a tree. Every time he moved, he experienced a vibrating tingle. Luckily, he had his mobile phone in his back pocket. He rang PAWA, explained what was happening and asked for help. Apparently, the whole tree had become alive from a branch resting on the high-voltage line. Officers from PAWA went and rescued him. That story highlights the dangers that are involved when trimming trees.
The Power and Water Authority has issued a pamphlet that provides very clear guidelines for both the planting and the trimming of trees. Information is given about the types of trees people should be planting to avoid these problems. The authority also has a tree trimming information service that is listed in the phone book. People really should make inquiries if they have a problem with the pruning of trees.
Of concern to me is some correspondence that I have had from the member for Fannie Bay. In it, she suggested that people should be encouraged to lop their own trees. I urge her to be very careful about advice she gives her constituents in relation to that because there is a risk of serious injury or fatality. I think she should advise them to ring the Power and Water Authority, who are the experts on this matter, and not ...
Ms Martin: Are you saying that people should not lop their own trees?
Mr MANZIE: No. I have just spoken about the dangers that may be involved. I am concerned that, in a letter you wrote to me, you suggested `that householders should be given
Page 1482
the chance to do their own lopping'. I say simply that you should be very careful when giving advice about that. Instead of being the expert yourself, I suggest you advise your constituents to ring the Power and Water Authority in this regard.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Okay, if you want to be the expert. People listening to the radio will probably understand very clearly ...
A member: You have been at it again, Clare.
Mr Reed: If you listen to Clare, you might be electrocuted.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: I simply say to people that, if their local member is giving them advice about lopping their own trees, they should not take it as gospel, but ring the Power and Water Authority. The relevant telephone number is 89247111. PAWA welcomes inquiries from the public about tree lopping. I do not believe that the member for Fannie Bay is really qualified to say whether people should lop their own trees.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016