u/Single_Client_854

Hey folks,

So I spent the afternoon digging holes along my colourbond fence separating me and my neighbour in the front yard, thinking that I’ll plant a slim variety of lily pilly like backyard bliss or straight and narrow (inspiration pic provided using chatgpt). More going for backyard bliss atm.

Half way through, I discovered there was a pvc stormwater pipe running along that entire strip of garden bed (I’ve highlighted the path in red). I’ve dug about 20cm deep, but the pvc pipe is about 25-30cm deep hence why I discovered it half way through.

Since it’s just my personal pvc stormwater pipe, I’m tempted to go ahead with planting, knowing one day I might have to rip out the plants if there’s an issue with the pipes. But doubt there ever will be a need as it’s pvc! Just here to get a 2nd opinion.

Should I go ahead? Is there a better plant option that has less vigorous roots? Planting to hide that hideous colourbond fence and give me more privacy from neighbour

I had a sparkie come out to a residential property in metro Melbourne on a normal weekday (non-emergency) to find out the cause of a power trip. All my ceiling lights had gone out at the same time, while my wall sockets were still working.

He quoted 550 before work began, I had one of his magnets so he gave me a 50 dollar discount. So paid 500 for him to start working.

The issue ended up being a blown up fuse, those 55-amp ceramic service barrel fuse located at the POA (attached to the gutter line).

Sparkie went up to the gutter and took the fuse out. Told me he’d been calling 8 different suppliers to try and source it and managed to find one. He made it seem like it was a really obscure, hard to find part. I asked him how much the part was and told me that it’d be 320.

He said he’ll come by next week to install once it’s mailed to him. I asked if installation was included in the price, he said yes and left.

So, fees so far: 500 paid, plus 320 next week (haven’t paid yet) to source and install new fuse.

The whole thing didn’t seem right so did some research. Found out it’s Jemena’s responsibility to come by and replace fuse for FREE since it’s attached to the POA. The fuse is extremely common and a Jemena distributor technicians have them ready in their trucks.

Jemena came out in a couple of hours and replaced it there and then. This was the SMS log I got from them: Thanks for contacting Jemena. Please DO NOT REPLY. 55amp fuse replaced, Overload, red phase at POA. OLD ceramic fuse.

I feel really dumb and taken advantage of by the sparkie… Do I have enough grounds to complain to Energy Safe Victoria? Does any of this cross a legal or professional boundary?

If the sparkie knew that Jemena could be called in to replace in a matter of hours, doesn’t he have the obligation to let me know from a safety point of view at least?

Update: just rang Jemena and they told me there’s no log of the sparkie notifying them. It was ME that called them after due diligence checks. Does anyone know if it’s mandatory for sparkies to notify the network distributor like Jemena if a phase / fuse is gone? I think this is the last puzzle I need for a watertight report to the authorities.

Planting a slim lily pilly variety above stormwater pvc pipe

Sparkies: have I been scammed?