Waikato Business News August/September 2017

18 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2017
0800 800 935
wel.co.nz
WEL NETWORKS INTRODUCES ONLINE PROCESS
FOR CUSTOMER INITIATED WORKS
An online system for new work requests on WEL’s network will
deliver more efficiency for the business and the customer.
An online system for new work requests
on WEL’s network will deliver
more efficiency for the business and
the customer.
That’s according to WEL Networks Customer
Initiated Works Manager, Justin Sonnenberg who
explains customers will ask WEL for a design and
quote if they’re subdividing, changing the electrical
load on an existing site or maybe wanting to relocate
an existing power connection.
“We’re all aware that Waikato is experiencing
significant growth in the housing and commercial
sectors and we’re excited to play a role in supporting
that development. However, it’s fair to say this
is creating challenges not only for providers of
core infrastructure services, like WEL, but for the
customer too.
“For example, if the customer doesn’t provide all
the information required for WEL staff to prepare
an informed quote we can spend time going back
and forth gathering information, and ultimately
wasting time.
“Last year we delivered over 1,100 quotes for potential
new work on our network. That’s an increase of 30%
on the 12 months prior.
However, only 60% of those quotes moved on to
construction phase.
“We understand there is strong interest in
developing private land, subdividing sections or
perhaps changing the physical location of WEL assets
however tentative enquiries do place pressure on
our ability to respond to genuine applications.
“With the new online system we tell customers
what information they need to gather before they
start the administration process, which they can
complete in their own time allowing us to focus on
the validated customers.
It’s a much more efficient way for the customer and
WEL to do business.
Please visit wel.co.nz/get-connected/newcommercial/get-started-now
ENSURE TREES NEAR POWER LINES TRIMMED
Once the wild weather calms down, give WEL Networks a call
to have trees near power lines trimmed.
Trees that aren’t maintained regularly can
encroach on overhead power lines and
cause unnecessary power outages on
the network. In fact, untrimmed trees
account for a fifth of unplanned power outages in
our communities. The recent wild weather may have
highlighted unruly trees on your property so the
calm before the next possible storm is a good time
to call in the professionals.
WEL Networks Arborist, Jonny Ogden, wants you
to take a safety first approach when managing
vegetation on your properties.
“It’s extremely dangerous for DIYers to attempt
to trim their trees around power lines because
once a tree gets into contact with a live power line,
electrocution becomes a real hazard. Please don’t
take the risk. We have a team of qualified arborists
who provide vegetation management services to
the community.
“We also routinely monitor trees around our
network to identify any that may have an impact on
overhead power lines, because they’re overgrown, or
as we experienced recently, during severe weather
conditions such as storms or strong winds.”
He says WEL Networks will also
take a proactive approach if a
tree poses a particular threat to
community safety.
“When we’re made aware of a potential issue we’ll
send a letter to the property owner providing
options for tree trimming or removal. Work doesn’t
start without the property owner’s consent, and all
work is carried out by our highly-trained arborists
who carry WEL identification with them.”
For more information on WEL’s vegetation
management services or to arrange tree trimming
phone 0800 800 935 or visit wel.co.nz