A BACKLOG of 217 homes awaiting connection to the power grid in the North East has dropped to three.
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The drastic fall was the result of the Electrical Trades Union suspending for seven days its ban on AusNet workers wiring in new homes.
AusNet’s Helina Lilley said only three properties had not been connected while the ban was revoked.
“With the short-term lifting of this ban, we are very pleased that over the past week, we have been able to clear the backlog of outstanding applications and perform electricity connections for customers who had been impacted by the bans,” she said.
“We continue to hold constructive conversations with the ETU on our EBA and are scheduled to appear before the Fair Work Commission on Thursday 1st March 2018 to continue negotiations.”
The ban resumed at lunchtime on Friday.
ETU officials did not reply to The Border Mail yon Friday.
Benambra MLA Bill Tilley, who has been contacted by upset home owners, welcomed the connections.
However, he noted 10 homes will be completed in Wodonga in the next week.
“That’s potentially 10 homes that won’t be handed over to their owners because they don’t have power, and then the following week another 10,” he said.
“What I want is the dispute to be resolved; ideally that new homeowners are no longer caught in the crossfire and that may require some changes in the law.”
In Victoria only energy providers, such as AusNet, are legally able to connect homes, however in NSW any electrician who is accredited can do the same task.