Review released on power pole safety

A review commissioned after a whistleblower raised safety concerns about an Otago lines company’s network has been released.

Aurora and its parent company, Delta, came under scrutiny after former manager-turned-whistleblower Richard Healey said its power poles were dangerous.

Deloitte was commissioned to review under-fire Aurora over the state of its network and its recommendations included enhancing health and safety systems and a more long-term and focused asset management plan.

Aurora chairman Steve Thompson, when asked if he could give assurances on the network’s safety, said: ‘‘We believe the network is safe’’.

Delta’s network includes 54,000 wooden and concrete poles out of a nationwide network of 1.3 million.

The lines company had 1181 poles rated condition 0, the lowest level, which placed the company as the worst in the country.

Thomson likened the network to a 1962 Ford Cortina car and said the challenge was to make it ‘‘a more modern vehicle’’.

The safety of the public and the company’s workers was the ‘‘absolute starting point’’.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the review recognised there was a ‘‘risk’’ to the community due to the company’s asset management.

‘‘I’m pleased this has been brought to a conclusion, but the hard work starts now.’’

Council expected the company’s infrastructure to be at a higher standard, he said.

‘‘I don’t think [the network] is as safe as it should be.’’

Delta has since committed to spending $30 million to replace 2910 neglected poles by December 2017.

That includes a fast-track programme to replace all 1181 poles rated 0 by April.

That was little comfort for Healey, who decided to go public about deteriorating power poles after his colleague died in December 2010 when climbing a pole that did not have a red ‘‘Do not climb’’ tag attached.

The power pole fell sideways and he was electrocuted.

"I'm pleased this has been brought to a conclusion, but the hard work starts now. I don't think [the network] is as safe as it should be." Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull