He says everyone realises those companies carry out important work delivering services such as telecommunications, gas and electricity, but too often when they carry out their works they leave behind unsightly temporary restorations.
“This results in a big risk to our community,” he said.
“I have witnessed a member of the public fall and sustain an injury as a result of a poor utility restoration.
“What is more, all too often, utility companies have come in after the council has completed new works, turning our hard work into a mess and subjecting the community to drawn out and unsightly temporary restorations.”
At Cr Zhakia’s request, the council has written to major utility companies requesting they maintain a safe and satisfactory condition during, immediately after any works, and up until such time as permanent restorations are completed, and restore, permanently, in a timely manner and to a condition equivalent to or better than they were prior to the works occurring.
“Council staff are quick to make areas safe once we receive reports and there is a mechanism to recover costs, but it is not our responsibility,” he said.
