Around 2,000 residents in Lismore lost their electricity connection on Wednesday night after a large gum tree took out power lines on Diadem Street.
Residents contacted both The Lismore City Council (LCC) and Essential Energy who sent out crews to remove the branches from the road and reconnect residents to electricity.
‘Just under 2,000 Essential Energy customers in the Lismore area, were affected by an unplanned power outage [on Wednesday, 20 October] at approximately 6.15pm, as a result of large tree on Diadem Street, bringing down powerlines and causing damage to a power pole,’ Operations Manager Ranges Paul McWilliam told The Echo.
‘Essential Energy crews responded immediately, securing safety of the site and isolating the problem, allowing power to be restored to majority of affected homes and businesses by 9pm.’
Lismore City Council spokesperson said that Essential Energy led the response with the assistance of council after hours road crew who helped cut up and remove branches.
‘Crews worked into the night using large machinery to remove the tree, enabling crews safe access to complete the necessary repairs, including complete replacement of the damaged power pole. Power was restored to the remaining 130 customers just after 2am,’ said Mr McWilliam.
The LCC spokesperson said that there was no damage to property and that they would be removing the rest of the tree as it is rotted.
‘Essential Energy thanks customers for their patience and reminds everyone to stay at least eight metres away from fallen or damaged powerlines or power poles and report to Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80,’ said Mr McWilliam.
This must have been confusing for the Lismorons.