MOUNT Gambier City Council has expressed disappointment at the over-pruning of trees by SA Power Networks, prompting elected members to invite the state’s electricity distributor to discuss better management in future rounds.
Councillor Paul Jenner said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the extensive damage of the street trees.
He said he had received many comments from community members about the visual appearance of the streets after the extensive pruning.
“SA Power Networks have come to our community and ruined a lot of streets,” he said.
“All they have done is cut the guts out of the trees.
“I do not think it’s good enough.”
Under state law, SA Power Networks are required to inspect and clear vegetation from around power lines every three years.
Cr Steve Perryman questioned the extent of the pruning program given council’s tree planting policy.
“In some streets, we have taken out some trees and replaced them with those that are power line friendly,” he said.
“You would think there would be no need do that.”
Cr Jenner was unanimously supported by the rest of the councillors in seeking a meeting with the company’s stakeholder team to address the issue.
