New test ordered

POWERCOR and Energy Safe Victoria will install a transformer outside two East Bendigo businesses after nearly two years of problems with power surges.The transformer will test for DC current entering Gerard K House Building Contractor and Central Victorian Tungsten Coatings.Power surges at both businesses in Prospect Road have caused electrocutions and extensive damage to equipment, according to CVTC co-owner Paul Bell.Powercor corporate affairs manager Hugo Armstrong said the transformer was not a solution to the continuing problems.“The transformer is a further testing device which will assist in reaching a solution,” he said. “This will verify if a DC current is coming in through the network to their premises. If that current is coming in, it will prevent it from going any further.“The transformer will have absolutely no impact on the electricity supply to any premises on Prospect Road and it constitutes absolutely no safety threat to any premises in Prospect Road.”However, Gerard K House Building Contractor managing director Gerard House and Strathfieldsaye Engineering owner Adrian Kairn are not convinced.“In the past when they’ve interfered with any of the supplies, the problem has gone to other businesses and caused major interference,” Mr House said.Mr Kairn added: “I got blown off the map majorly.“My biggest concern at the moment is, if it goes ahead that it will blow me off the map again.”Mr House said he had spent a lot of money trying to trace the problem and find a reason for it.Asked how he believed the problem could be fixed, Mr House replied: “Source the pollutant where it’s coming from and withdraw it, it’s as simple as that.”Mr Armstrong said Powercor had taken so long to act as it was investigating “a whole range of possible causes”.