Janet Knowles, whose driveway was damaged when the Water Corporation fixed a pipe in December, with neighbour Jeanice Jones.
Camera IconJanet Knowles, whose driveway was damaged when the Water Corporation fixed a pipe in December, with neighbour Jeanice Jones. Credit: Supplied/Marcelo Palacios

Long wait for driveway repair as Telstra, Water Corp dither

Emma Young, Comment NewsComment News

Resolutions began to flow within a day of inquiries made by the Comment News.

Janet Knowles, who rents her Skua Grove property to a family, said the driveway was ripped up when the Water Corporation fixed a pipe in December.

Neighbour Jeanice Jones said in February, the Water Corporation filled in the sandpit that had become her driveway.

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Half of Ms Knowles’ drive remained uprooted, however, and her tenants have been edging their car around the 30cm-deep hole ever since, damaging the water meter in the process.

The tenant said the Water Corporation advised they would charge $350 for fixing the meter.

Ms Knowles said the delay in filling the driveway hole was because the Water Corporation and Telstra both had to meet to raise the Telstra pit flush with the new driveway concrete.

A spokesman said Telstra sent a staff member to a meeting on July 2.

Water Corporation Perth regional manager Steve Dorricott said his officer arrived at the arranged time, 8am, waited an hour and left.

‘They then called Telstra and were advised that a Telstra representative had visited the property some time later,’ Mr Dorricott said. We are working with Telstra to arrange another suitable time.

‘As the damage to the water meter was beyond the tenant’s control, there will be no charge for its replacement.’

Last Wednesday, about 18 hours after the Comment News contacted Telstra, technicians installed a heavy-duty board (pictured right) over the hole.

‘A permanent repair can be made in coming weeks. We apologise to the customer for the inconvenience,’ the Telstra spokesman said.

Ms Knowles said: ‘I’m surprised two authorities can’t provide services because they’re trapped in bureaucratic nonsense.’