Upgrades for twelve Murphy St homes

Important Notice About The Law Governing The Safety Of Trees Near Power Lines

Kāinga Ora is upgrading 12 homes on Toi Toi’s Murphy St. Each of the homes was built more than 70 years ago and will receive the refurbishment as part of their retrofit programme.

Kate Russell

Twelve Kāinga Ora homes on Murphy St in Toi Toi are getting a major refurbishment. Significant improvement work is currently underway on three of the houses as part of the public housing provider’s retrofit programme. A further six homes are currently in the design and consent stage, with assessments to be completed on a further three homes in July. All of the homes are around 72 years old, built in the early 1950s.

This information is brought to you by Nelson Electricity who owns and operates the electricity distribution network in Nelson City and supplying approximately 9,200 consumers in what is mainly an urban area.

Trees close to power lines are a safety hazard. On 1 st July 2005 the Tree Regulations came into effect to protect the security of the supply of electricity and for t he safety of the public. There is the potential for injury or even death by electrocution if you touch a tree which is touching a power line. Children in particular like to climb trees and when these trees are close to power lines, there is always the ri sk of serious injury or even death. Trees can cause power cuts especially in strong winds, rain and snow. Your power supply may be disrupted when trees fall or branches break, damaging power lines, poles or other structures. In dry conditions serious fi res can be caused.

Julia Campbell, Kāinga Ora’s regional director for Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast, says the homes are being modernised and the layouts changed to make them more open plan.

“New double-glazed joinery and insulation are being installed. We are also installing new kitchens, bathrooms, heating, carpet, and vinyl.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THE LAW GOVERNING THE SAFETY OF TREES NEAR POWER LINES – Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003

This information is brought to you by Nelson Electricity who owns and operates the electricity distribution network in Nelson City and supplying approximately 9,200 consumers in what is mainly an urban area.

The Tree Regulations spell out the responsibilities for electricity lines companies and tree owners in making sure that trees are kept safely trimmed away from the lines. They define two zones around power lines as shown in the diagram below.

Trees close to power lines are a safety hazard. On 1st July 2005 the Tree Regulations came into effect to protect the security of the supply of electricity and for the safety of the public. There is the potential for injury or even death by electrocution if you touch a tree which is touching a power line. Children in particular like to climb trees and when these trees are close to power lines, there is always the risk of serious injury or even death. Trees can cause power cuts especially in strong winds, rain and snow. Your power supply may be disrupted when trees fall or branches break, damaging power lines, poles or other structures. In dry conditions serious fires can be caused.

“We also do any other maintenance, such as reroofing and replacing framing, where required.”

Julia says, because of their age, the homes were poorly insulated and in need of an upgrade. “They were assessed as being suitable for the Kāinga Ora retrofit programme, which renews the life of a home for up to 50 more years and ensures they are warmer, drier, healthier, and more energy efficient.”

Growth Limit Zone – no part of a tree or other vegetation should be inside this zone. Lines companies are required to issue Cut or Trim Notices to owners when their trees are within the Growth Limit Zone.

The Tree Regulations spell out the responsibilities for electricity lines companies and tree owners in making sure that trees are kept safely trimmed away from the lines. They define two zones around power lines as shown in the diagram below.

Notice Zone – if your trees reach this zone you may receive a Hazard Notice warning that the trees must not enter the Growth Limit Zone.

She says retrofitting a home generally takes around four to five months and work on the first three homes is expected to be completed within the next month.

“This includes construction and time for us to support customers who were living there to relocate to temporary accommodation.”

Julia says the cost of the work varies depending on the amount and type of work that is needed on each home.

Growth Limit Zone - no part of a tree or other vegetation should be inside this zone. Lines companies are required to issue Cut or Trim Notices to owners when their trees are within the Growth Limit Zone.

Nelson Electricity carries out routine surveys on its network and issues Cut or Trim Notices to owners of trees that have grown into the Growth Limit Zone. If you receive a Tree Cut o r Trim Notice it is important that you read the information sent to you and respond accordingly.

She states that they are unable to disclose the cost of this work for commercial reasons.

Notice Zone - if your trees reach this zone you may receive a Hazard Notice warning that the trees must not enter the Growth Limit Zone.

Tree owners are required to respond to Notices by either:

Nelson Electricity carries out routine surveys on its network and issues Cut or Trim Notices to owners of trees that have grown into the Growth Limit Zone. If you receive a Tree Cut or Trim Notice it is important that you read the information sent to you and respond accordingly.