Pole safety assurances welcomed

Dunedin (Monday, 31 October 2016) – The Dunedin City Council and its holding company have welcomed an accelerated plan for power pole replacement in the region.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull and Dunedin City Holdings Limited Chair Graham Crombie say they have been assured by Aurora Energy Limited board and management that there are no immediate health and safety concerns from power poles throughout parts of Otago.

These assurances and the accelerated replacement plan announced today provide an initial level of comfort while awaiting the outcome of several independent reviews.

Mr Cull says, "From the outset, my number one priority in this situation has been safety – of the public and of the workers. I have demanded reassurance from Dunedin City Holdings that there is no immediate health and safety risk from rotting power poles falling over.

“I’m pleased Aurora has clarified the risk classification system that implied large numbers of poles needed to be replaced within prescriptive timeframes, when in fact the risk assessment process acts to prioritise replacing dangerous poles ahead of other categories of poles.”

"Today's announcement provides a level of assurance and I am pleased there is now clarification around the plans to replace all the high priority poles as quickly as is practicable.

"It is my expectation that the independent review I asked DCHL to undertake on the Council's behalf will, along with the Worksafe review already underway, get to the bottom of all the issues raised."

Mr Crombie says the review led by DCHL will look at all aspects of the matters raised and provide assurance around the proposed programme going forward.

The terms of reference for the review are currently being finalised and Mr Crombie expects to announce who will conduct the review, along with the terms of reference, in the next couple of days.

The DCC owns DCHL, which in turn owns subsidiary companies such as Aurora.

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