Auckland trees an 'eyesore' after being cut in deep V shapes to avoid power lines
Good morning Auckland neighbours,
Auckland residents are up in arms after a row of trees was turned into an “eyesore” in a bid to protect some power lines.
Residents of Alford St, in the central Auckland suburb of Waterview, woke up last week to find the trees on their berms cut into deep V shapes.
John Jones, who lives opposite one of the trees, said they were “quite an eyesore”.
Auckland Council’s regional arborists and ecological manager David Stejskal said the trees were pruned by contractors Treescape as part of routine maintenance of trees growing under power lines.
The overzealous pruning was brought to the council’s attention by a local board member.
Officials have since visited the site and spoken to the contractor about the unacceptable nature of the pruning, Stejskal said.
“The power lines clearance programme needs to strike a balance between the regulatory clearance required to protect power lines and maintaining the viability of the tree,” he said.
Our contractors agree to clear trees to regulatory and contract specifications and best practice guidelines which in this case were not carried out.
“We are currently speaking to Treescape about what needs to be done to remedy the situation.”
Treescape confirmed it is working with the council to remedy the situation.
“We understand the concerns of the residents, and we’re working together to resolve the issue,” a spokesperson said.
“That’s all we can say at this stage.”
What do you think of the way the trees have been cut?
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Cost of living: How to get $110 off your electricity bill through Power Credits Scheme
Some Kiwis can expect their power bill to rise this month for the third year in a row as the low-user charge is phased out – but there's a payment available for people who are struggling.
It's the third year in a row that low-power users are facing increasing fixed costs as the low-power users scheme is phased out.
To help the industry set up the $5 million Power Credits Scheme which means eligible households can access credit during the transition.
The phase out which began in 2022 will see fixed costs for low users rise every april for five years.
The scheme means households who are supplied by Contact, Meridian, Mercury, Genesis, Nova, Wise, Globug, Powershop, Frank or Toast Electric can access a $110 payment if they’re in hardship. So far $1.4 million has been paid out.
The scheme is run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand. Chief executive Bridget Abernethy told Consumer NZ households showing signs of energy hardship can get the payment. But Abernethy said each power company will have its own criteria for what energy hardship looks like.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said removing the "low Fixed Charge Tariff regulations is essential for creating a fairer playing field for all New Zealand households".
However, the MBIE website acknowledged the phase-out could be challenging for some households.
"While all households are expected to benefit in the long term from the regulations being removed, some households may face higher power bills," the website said.
The credit can help households adjust, it added.
The decision to remove the low user charge was made by the then Labour Government in 2021 who called it "poorly targeted".
Then Energy Minister Megan Woods said it would mean three in five households could benefit from lower power bills.
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