Local contractors told dairy farmer Jill Porter that poles No.9 and No.11 on the Sparrow Spur line would be replaced on Friday, with poles No.2, No.13 and No.16 replaced on Sunday. However Powercor confirmed late on Thursday afternoon that eight poles would be replaced.

In an email to Mrs Porter at 1.47pm Thursday, Powercor general manager electricity networks Steven Neave said the Sparrow Spur line was due to be checked as part of a regular inspection cycle in May next year.  

"As you know we have brought forward those inspections to this week due to the concerns raised. I now have results from these inspections," he wrote.

"None of the poles inspected at the Sparrow Spur line needed to be urgently replaced. There were four poles that were assessed as needing to be replaced before their next regular inspection which would have been in 2021.  

"That is what the white crosses on these poles signify. We have also chosen to replace a further pole.

"Despite these poles not requiring urgent replacement, out of courtesy to you and your neighbours poles 9 and 11 will be replaced this afternoon, with poles 2, 13 and 16 replaced on Sunday."

However, three of those poles (Nos.2, 9 and 11) have been painted with white crosses and top and bottom bands around the poles, signifying they are unserviceable and must be replaced.

Mrs Porter was left in tears on Thursday as a local subcontractor was given the unenviable task of telling her that poles would be replaced.

"They couldn't even ring and tell me. Powercor continues to tear apart my community," she said.

"There are innocent people who live here and are having to carry the can, they are literally knocking on doors because of Powercor's corporate indecency. It's just not fair. 

"The sub-contractors and pole testers have done nothing wrong. They are just following the processes that have been put in place.”

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said he had held talks with Powercor chief executive officer Timothy Rourke on Thursday and been guaranteed that five poles would be replaced.

"They have acted because of the strong community concern. That is pleasing," he said.

"The hope is that we will see better engagement with the community from now on.

"It's an excellent outcome for the community and hopefully residents can feel safer at Christmas."

Mr Tehan, the federal minister for health, said had also held talks with federal energy minister Angus Taylor.

He said the energy minister had instructed regulatory bodies Energy Safe Victoria and the Australian Energy Market Operator to have a specific focus on the Victorian electricity network in the new year.

 "We got action. That's what we wanted," Mr Tehan said.

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