Councillor’s smart meter protest – Frankston Weekly

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

FRANKSTON councillor Glenn Aitken has joined a growing number of residents rejecting the state government’s compulsory installation of smart meters on their properties.

Although he has not locked his electricity meter box, Cr Aitken has put up a sign – quoting sections of the Trespass Act – warning installers not to install a smart meter on his Seaford premises.

Cr Aitken said he had spoken to residents who were concerned about health risks associated with smart meters, as well as rising electricity costs associated with the devices.

“Their concerns about smart meters tend to mirror my own,” Cr Aitken said. “I do not want them to just come in here and push a smart meter on my property.

“There have been a number of issues relating to smart meters which have emerged. These people have documentation which raises a number of issues, which I think the broader community should be made better aware of.”

The Weekly has also spoken to a number of local residents who say they have been forced from their homes due to negative health symptoms which they associate with an electro-magnetic field from the smart meter.

They say their symptoms include headaches, insomnia, ringing in the ears and nausea.

One couple is living in their van, a woman is living in a tent and others are spending thousands of dollars painting their homes with barrier paint hoping it will stop radiation from getting through.

Cr Aitken said he was also concerned after reading literature about the machines blowing up, and that the centralised electricity system meant it was possible that power supplies could be more easily monitored and hacked.

In a show of support, Cr Aitken booked the Frankston Mechanics Institute hall for a public meeting at 7pm on June 6 which is being organised by the concerned residents. He will also open the meeting.

The event would provide an opportunity for locals to hear from a number of key speakers about the issue and to ask questions, Cr Aitken said.

via Councillor’s smart meter protest – Local News – News – General – Frankston Weekly.

Download a flyer for this meeting here

Posted in Frankston, Meetings, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

My Meter box is staying locked….

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Latest information – I received a SMS from Powercor asking me to phone them re my Power supply. I did and now find that I have 10 days grace and they will be installing a SMART METER. I asked them to send me something that tells me these darn things are Safe and on Friday of last week got another message telling me they will email me information on SMART METER INSTALLATION this coming Monday. I have had enough. If I must have one and that is “IF” it will have to be re-located to the other side of the House. (They tell me that this will be at my own Expense approx $400.00 which I don’t have). I want a steel plate between my wall and the smart Meter. I want a Qualified Electrician to do the job and I want something In writing from them to tell me these do not cause fires and are healthy (which I am not going to get) – My Meter box is staying locked. I have had perspex in place so my Energy Co can read the meter. I have signs everywhere, including trespassers prosecuted. I have also contacted my Solicitor and expect to hear from him this week.
CLASS ACTION IS REQUIRED URGENTLY – Thanks to all who have supported me…Pam

Posted in Smart Meter, Tell us your story | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

Smart meters vulnerable to false data injection

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Power grids connect electricity producers to consumers through interconnected transmission and distribution networks. In these networks, system monitoring is necessary to ensure reliable power grid operation.

The analysis of smart meter measurements and power system models that estimate the state of the power grid are a routine part of system monitoring.

False data injection attacks exploit the configuration of power grids by introducing arbitrary errors into state variables while bypassing existing techniques for bad measurement detection.

nCircle announced the results of a survey of 104 energy security professionals. When asked, “Do smart meter installations have sufficient security controls to protect against false data injection?” 61% said “no”.

Full story available at: http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=12717

Posted in Hacking, Security Risks, Smart grid, Smart Meter | Leave a comment

Pensioner takes stance against meters – The Warrnambool Standard

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

By PETER COLLINS 18 May, 2012

PENSIONER Pam Densley is risking being penalised for her continued defiant refusal to have a smart meter fitted to her household electricity supply, despite a new top-level report saying they are safe.

The Warrnambool war widow has had notes stuck around her meter box for months highlighting her concerns and has chased installers off her property.

She’s written to her home insurance company and even considered locking the meter box.

“I shouldn’t have to have one,” she told The Standard.

“I don’t want one until they are proven safe. A lot of concerns have been raised.”

According to electricity distributor Powercor, rollout of the new technology must be completed by the end of next year for all homes and businesses.

Any property owners refusing installation risk having their power supply cut off.

Powercor spokesman Hugo Armstrong said people were required by law to give the distributor safe and clear access to meters.

“We will always try to work with customers to resolve their issues,” he said.

“They can contact us on 1300 783 882.”

He said smart meters had been fitted at two-thirds of Warrnambool region properties and installers were back in the district to finish the program.

Health concerns were dismissed yesterday by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) which released its draft report on advanced metering infrastructure (smart meters).

It said the new meters posed no more risk than older electronic or electromechanical meters.

Energy Safe director Paul Fearon said much community debate on the meters was not based on facts or evidence and had alarmed the elderly and vulnerable.

However, the Electrical Trades Union later issued a statement urging consumers to read the report with “extreme caution”.

“This draft report in no way removes the need for continued scrutiny of the safety of the smart meter roll out and the rush to find that all is well in the face of contradictory evidence casts grave doubt on its credibility,” ETU Victorian branch secretary, Dean Mighell, said.

Read the rest via Pensioner takes stance against meters – Local News – News – General – The Warrnambool Standard.

Posted in Dean Mighell, ETU, Smart Meter | Tagged , | 11 Comments

ill with migraines and fever like symptoms

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Comment: A smart meter was installed in the rented home I live in Daylesford, Central Victoria – and over the last week I have been very ill with migraines and fever like symptoms. I believe that the smart meter is spiking radiation, I rang Powercor who gave me the usual line that it is a mandatory installation. I have tried to shield the smart meter – which is on the wall of the kitchen, a room I am in a great deal – with aluminium mesh and aluminium sheeting on the wall in the kitchen, to no effect. Do you know a retailer who will sell me an analogue electricity meter and a sympathetic electrician who could install it for me. I live with my teenage children and am not able to do this myself. I am desperate – all help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Posted in Smart Meter | 10 Comments

New group forming in Bairnsdale

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

East Gippsland Information Hub. Attached to Stop Smart Meters Australia, there is now a group forming in Bairnsdale. If you are in the East Gippsland region, come to Treasures of Atlantis to pick up free Do Not Fit A Smart Meter sign, information packs, letters of refusal and more.

Details of the upcoming meeting can be found at the store Treasures of Atlantis 1/25 Wood St Bairnsdale Vic, Ph: 03-51523485 or on this site soon.

DO NOT risk your health

DO NOT risk your home insurance

DO NOT accept being bullied

DO NOT accept being held to ransom by an overseas company

STOP SMART METERS AUSTRALIA

Posted in Smart Meter | 1 Comment

Northcote fire questions safety of smart meters – Emergency Services

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

A FAMILY’S narrow escape from a Northcote house fire prompted a Darebin officer to raise concerns about smart meter installation.

Christmas St resident Sophie Tzirozidis hailed her 12-year-old son a hero after he ran to the front of their house, stopped traffic and alerted neighbours to help evacuate his grandfather, Peter, and grandmother, Vicki, before they were overcome with smoke.

“If Peter hadn’t have come running out screaming for help my parents would have died from smoke inhalation because my father’s had a stroke and he can’t walk and my mother couldn’t move because she was in shock,” Ms Tzirozidis said.

“The fire started from the smart meter and the flames spread straight up to the roof.

“There’s nothing smart about smart meters – they’re terrible.”

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade estimated the damage at $300,000.

One brigade officer, who refused to be named because he was opening “a political can of worms”, said this was the third serious fire in Northcote he’d attended in the past six months that started at the smart meter.

He said the power companies were involved in “a massive cover-up” denying responsibility.

“The problem is not with the meter itself but with connecting it to wiring in older houses,” the officer said.

“Unless something’s done (to fix the problem), unfortunately we’ll see a lot more of these fires and we just have to hope no one will get hurt.”

The MFB officer said he’d repeatedly watched power company authorities visiting the houses after the fires and claiming sabotage or other factors were involved to take the heat off them.

Read the rest via Northcote fire questions safety of smart meters – Emergency Services – News – Northcote Leader.

HOW MANY STORIES LIKE THIS ARE WE GOING TO SEE?

Posted in Fire, House Fires, Smart Meter | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Stop Smart Meters Australia mentioned in the ESV report

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Yesterday Energy Safe Victoria issued a press release about the completion of its draft report  into the safety of Victoria’s smart meters stating: “….ESV believes it is important that the public receives informed and independent information so they can continue to have confidence that smart meters are safe.”

The Herald Sun adds: “Fears over health risks supposedly linked with smart meters have seen people move out of their homes and others coat their houses in electromagnetic shielding paint amid claims of heart palpitations and other ailments.”

We are having quite an impact. In-fact we are mentioned twice in the report and recognised as a key stakeholder: 

1.3 Nature of issues raised
While most of the recent incidents now appear to be the result of criminal damage, ESV believes it is important to answer the additional questions that have emerged in relation to the safety of smart meters.

Most of the issues raised have been put forward by the Victorian Branch of the Electrical
Trades Union (ETU) and Stop Smart Meters Australia, who have questioned the safety of  smart meters. The media has reported the concerns raised by these key stakeholders, resulting in a great deal of largely misplaced community concern.

A summary of the key issues and assertions raised include:
• There has been a massive increase in meter failures since the smart meters were rolled
out.
• Smart meters cause fires and explosions.
• All smart meters that are affected by a HV injection on a circuit need to be replaced to
ensure safety.
• Smart meters need to be installed on non-flammable backing board to ensure safety.
• Smart meters are being installed on deteriorated backing boards.
• Energy companies have not followed appropriate procedures for testing of smart meters
following a HV injection.
• The smart meters that are being installed are poor quality and unsafe.
• Smart meters are emitting a coloured liquid that is unsafe.
• Smart meters emit high levels of electromagnetic radiation and cause health issues.

ESV is releasing this draft report to provide an opportunity for public comment to ensure that it addresses the key issues of concern to the community about smart meters.

ESV welcomes any comments or further information in response to this report. Submissions should be forwarded to info@esv.vic.gov.au by 15 June 2012.

After assessing any comments and further information received, ESV proposes to release a final report on the safety of the smart meter component of the AMI rollout in June/July 2012.

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Consumers/Files/Safety%20of%20advanced%20metering%20infrastructure%20in%20Victoria%20%20170512.pdf

We encourage you to make submissions and contribute to the final report.  The draft report did not adequately deal with all of the key issues of concern.  

KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK PEOPLE!

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

What angles might be taken to install a smart meter?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Comment: I contact you with critical information which I believe should be posted on your website to make customers more informed about what angles might be taken to install a smart meter.

Recently, one of my neighbours informed me that she had received letters from Sp-Ausnet in regards to her country properties in rural Victoria, informing her that the safest option for the distribution of electricity to her property would be to convert to underground power cables, and turn off the existing overhead connection, reluctantly as she did not feel the need for it, she agreed, and scheduled an appointment with Sp-Ausnet to come out to 3 of her properties to change connections, so she thought.

She later noticed that whilst a few workmen worked on digging up her land and installing the new underground cables and cutting the existing ones, two of the men had gone around and installed smart meters at the same time that the others were working without her knowing.

She was furious, as at no point had she been informed that they also had intentions to install a new smart meter at the premesis at the same time.
Sp-Ausnet stated that it is a regular occourance when they changeover any supply connections also.

She then had to pay $230 per property to have the connection changed, and any additional cost that may be incurred due to having a smart meter installed with it’s inaccuracies.
—
I believe that this information is important for consumers as many may be against smart meters, although if they are invitied to install underground cables for safety in bushfire zones, may not also know that it means installing a new smart meter.

In conclusion —
Don’t allow them to do anything!
Do not allow access to your property! (Unless they state there is an imediate hazard, there is no reason for them to enter)
Do not agree to change anything, connections, meters ect. As changing one, generally means changing another for their own personal benefit!

Posted in Smart Meter | 1 Comment

Anti Smart Meter Coalition on Channel 7 News

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Angry Gippsland Residents have formed a coalition against smart meters.

Click here to watch the video

Sp Ausnets Mother Day Gift For Warragul Mother.

For several reasons an elderly pensioner, who lives in Warragul , considered the Government’s smart meter was not in her interest and decided to exercise her right to refuse installation of this new device on her property.

Although the State Government has mandated the electricity distributors to “do their best endeavours to install the smart meters by 2013”, there is no legal enforcement for customers to accept these new electrical devices. Customers have the right to refuse.

A notice was fixed to her meter box indicating that permission to install was not granted. Last week when the SP Ausnet installers came to her street she spoke with them telling them of her decision and to ensure one was not installed on her property.

They appeared to respect her wishes but she kept a watch on them all week.

With no installers in sight she went to do her shopping and returned two hours later to find a smart meter installed.

What unbelievable lengths are SP Ausnet installers allowed to go to get their piece rate for each meter installed?

This outrageous action by SP Ausnet is not an isolated incident but this time the lady is very upset and angry with this disregard for her democratic rights as well as her health and safety. She wants the immediate removal of the installed electrical device

She has the support of family and local residents.

When SP Ausnet allowed this installation to occur, as they have done in the past, what they did not know was a “Smart Meter Public Awareness Forum” was held in Drouin on Thursday May 10th. This pensioner was one of the 100 people in attendance.

At this meeting it was resolved to form a “West Gippsland Anti Smart Meter Coalition”

This time she is not on her own. Members of the newly formed Anti Smart Meter Coalition will be rallying to support her and already legal action is being considered.

Minister for Energy, Michael O’ Brien, has stated that he expects the electricity distributors to respect the wishes of the customers.

Unfortunately Minister O’ Brien is either turning a blind eye or is not aware of the increasing bullying tactics of the distributors and the rising anger developing in the Community

Posted in Channel 7 News, Media, Smart Meter, Videos | Tagged | 13 Comments