Electricity Interruptions Experienced in Millgrove during April and May 2013

Millgrove has been suffering many interruptions to their electricity supply over the last few weeks.  Here are my emails to SP Ausnet and Brad Battin, State MP for Gembrook, over these issues and their responses.

1) To SP Ausnet 6 May 2013

Good evening,
 
I write to express my disappointment at the cavalier treatment of the people of Millgrove today.
 
I have no idea what the importance of the work you are doing in Millgrove that has necessitated the cut of electricity  supply to residents.  So far we have had two days of interruption to our electricity supply and are due for another day’s interruption Next Monday.
 
Today we were advised that the interruption would last from 8.30am until 3.30pm.  At a 4.15pm I received a text message indicating that the power would not be restored until 6.00pm.
 
Thus we were all reduced to sitting in houses on a cold evening without any power for lighting, heating and the ability to prepare food for an extra two and a half hours.  I don’t know what people who do not have access to text messages were supposed to know what was happening.
 
I can tell it is no fun sitting in the gathering gloom with in the dark without any heating.  It was no good trying to contact you on the phone to find out what was going on as you do not seem to be able to be contacted other than listening to recorded messages.
 
I sincerely hope that you are going to keep to the hours of disconnection that you have advised for the interruption due next Monday, and I hope that whatever you are doing was worth the inconvenience that your lack of concern and customer service has caused to Millgrove Residents today.
 
I also hope that you have advised the suppliers of our electricity supply over recent weeks so that they can make an adjustment to our electricity bills to reflect the lack of supply that we have had to endure.
 
Your attitude to your customers and the lack of consideration to your customers shows that we rate very negatively in your consideration and I find it appalling that customer service appears not to be of major concern to your organisation.
 
 
Bob Lillie


2) Reply from SP Ausnet 9 May 2013

Our ref IMS 281343
 
Good afternoon Bob
 
Thank you for contacting SP AusNet.  The work that is currently being done is part of our maintenance work, where our crews were working on a major project to improve reliability and safety of the electricity network.  I have been advised that there are no more planned interruptions after the 21st of May (weather permitting) as part of this project.  Please note that we cannot guarantee if another planned outage could occur.  For instance, if our crews are attending a fault in the area and they notice that there is something in need of replacement of repair, they are obligated to report it and then the appropriate job is planned to take care of it.
 
In regards to the shutdown that went overtime this was the result of problems that the crew encountered on the day where plant that they were using failed.  SP AusNet apologises for any inconvenience caused and should you have any further questions, please contact me directly.
 
Kind regards
Daryl Kelly
Customer Relations
SP AusNet
Customer Service Centre

3) Email to Brad Battin, MP, 10 May 2013

Good Afternoon Brad
 
I would like to bring to your attention some problems currently being experienced by residents of Millgrove in respect of several interruptions to electricity power supply over the last few weeks.  The details are contained in the emails below that I sent to SP Ausnet  which are attached below.
 
I feel that the answer that I received is not very satisfactory,  It would seem to me that this company could have arranged a better consultation with residents before they commenced the work explaining why they were needing to interrupt supply and providing a timetable so that people can make better arrangements for themselves during the periods of interruption and a proper timeline for each interruption.
 
All we have received is a letter approximately two weeks before the interruption advising the date and time duration of that interruption.  Last week the interruption lasted two  and a half hours after the time stated on the notice.  I received a text message advising of the extension of the interruption three quarters an hour after the planned resumption of power.  I don’t know how people without access to text messages were advised.
 
We still have two further interruptions of electricity supply ahead – on Monday 6 May and again on Tuesday 14 May.
 
I understand that from time to time such interruptions are necessary to maintain such infrastructure, but is it too much to ask that companies such as this to advise their customers of their as to the reasons for the interruptions and provide a timetable that they are going to abide by.
 
There are many people in Millgrove who are quite upset by the treatment they have received from this company.
 
I look forward to your response.
 
Regards,
 
Bob Lillie
0417376043

4) Response from Bad Battin, MP, 14 May 2013

Bob

Thank you for your email regarding SP Ausnet.

This is an ongoing issue across Victoria, SP Ausnet have regulation that they must notify when there will be a power outage in an area.

SP Ausnet are obliged to inform the area if possible of the cancellation of the work.  On occasion this is difficult without a mobile to text.  If an urgent or emergency arises that the crew assigned to work at your location is required at the works will not commence.

I have raised this issue in Parliament, and the Minister is meeting with SP Ausnet to establish better guidelines for communication,  We are hopeful SP Ausnet assist in this and improve the level of communication in all areas.

Regards

Brad Battin

Posted 15 May 2013 on behalf of MRAG for the information of Millgrove Residents

Next committee Meeting - 14 May

Our next committee meeting has been arranged for 7.00pm on Tuesday 14 May, 2013 at the Baptist Church, Cavanagh Road, Millgrove.  Any one who is interested is welcome to come