Picture: TODD LEWIS
REGULATIONS to reduce tree trimming near power lines in Mount Gambier have been welcomed by a city councillor who became a voice for change after slamming “terrible work” undertaken earlier this year.
Mount Gambier will be one of several regional South Australian cities to benefit from less drastic tree trimming practices following a change to State Government policy.
Councillor Paul Jenner raised concerns in February about several trees, which had been “hacked” in action taken by SA Power Networks after they had grown through powerlines.
“When they came down here earlier in the year they absolutely hacked into our trees, they looked terrible,” Cr Jenner said.
“Common sense has prevailed, obviously the experts have looked at it and we can move on and Mount Gambier can continue to look beautiful.”
Council city infrastructure general manager Nick Serle said elected members should be praised for putting the issue on the agenda earlier this year.
“SA Power Networks came and spoke at a committee meeting earlier in the year and explained how regulations forced them to trim the trees in the way they had,” Mr Serle said.
“They outlined a number of proposed changes to that policy, which they were prepared to take to State Government and council offered their full support.”
Cr Jenner said conversations with SA Power Networks had clearly been heard loud and clear.
“They came down and we negotiated with them, which has ended in a great result for not only our city, but others around South Australia,” he said.
The new regulations – which have also been introduced to a number of other regional cities – have applied in Adelaide for many years
State Energy and Mining Minsiter Dan van Holst Pellekaan said Mount Gambier would now have greater tree coverage as a result of the change in policy.
“Trees play a critical role in making urban and township environments attractive places to live and the allowing vegetation to grow through low voltage powerlines will end the practice of disfiguring trees for no tangible safety benefit,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
“The same regulations were put in place for Adelaide in 2010 and the results are plain to see with residents enjoying the benefits of greater shade and cooler streets.”
He said improving the urban canopy would reduce air pollution, reduce the heat island effect and support more birdlife in South Australia’s regional cities.
“Reducing the need for tree trimming complements the Marshall Government’s efforts to bring down electricity bills in South Australia by reducing the cost of delivering electricity to households and small businesses,” he said.
Visiting some of the areas where trees had previously been “hacked”, Cr Jenner was pleased to see SA Power Networks had returned to improve the visual appeal of those trees.
