Electric blues roll on in Hadfield – smart meters replaced with older, electronic models!

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Eleni Kontogiorgis, Julie-Ann Connor and Sonja Rutherford inspect a smart meter (inset) that “exploded” at Hadfield Dental Group. PIC: SUSAN WINDMILLER

POWER company Jemena has removed smart meters from two Hadfield properties that it says are at risk of vandalism after meter “explosions” frightened residents.

The meters were two of 11 in the Moreland area that were replaced in the past fortnight after damage attributed to power surges and vandalism.

>> Are you worried about your safety near smart meters? Have your say below.

Jemena spokesman Scott Parker said smart meters were replaced at a dentist and medical centre in Geum St last Monday with “older, electronic” models to discourage further attacks.

Pascoe Vale MP Christine Campbell was inundated with calls from constituents seeking assurance that the new technology – now in more than a million Victorian properties – was safe.

Mr Parker said police were investigating suspected vandalism attacks on five meters after tests confirmed liquid on the failed devices did not come from inside.

He said a further six meters in Pascoe Vale were replaced after they “failed safely” following a power surge in January. Energy Safe Victoria is investigating.

In Parliament, Energy Minister Michael O’Brien said he was assured by Energy Safe Victoria that smart meters were not exploding, adding that the MFB found no evidence that smart meter malfunctions caused fires.

But Electrical Trade Unions secretary Dean Mighell said safety concerns were legitimate and meters should be mounted on flame-resistant boards.

via HAVE YOUR SAY: Electric blues roll on in Hadfield – Local News – News – Moreland Leader.

Meeting: Broadmeadows Progress Association Smart Meter Update Report and Discussion

Posted in Smart Meter, smart meters replaced with older models | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Broadmeadows Progress Association Smart Meter Update Report and Discussion

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

The Broadmeadows Progress Association invites concerns citizens of Victoria to

Smart Meter Update Report and Discussion
Wednesday March 7, 2012
7:30 pm

Broadmeadows Uniting Church Mission Care Centre
415 Camp Rd
Broadmeadows

The cause and associated safety problems of recent meter explosions is of great concern. Victorians must be aware of the facts and take necessary action to protect their welfare.

Please let people know about this evening, especially those who live in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. For more information contact John Rutherford 9309 6296

Posted in Broadmeadows Progress Association, Meetings, Smart Meter | Tagged | 2 Comments

If it does come in… i will have to look at moving from my unit..

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

When I heard they were coming to the area I went to all my neighbours and got them to sign the notice I posted on the meter box.  If I was in a house I would just lock the meter box but I am in a unit and little is said about how to protect a block.

On my lounge wall on the other side is 6 analogue meters – I don’t want 6 smart meters. I am really afraid how it will affect me. I work from home and am very sensitive. Under a body corp I can’t do very much as far as locking my meter or the meter box.

There is padlock on meter box that the utility companies use when they read the meter.  Do I cut the lock? Replace with my own? Will body corp have an issue with me? Probably? All the tenants I have spoken to don’t want it – the other residents don’t understand (it’s a big multicultural area here) I am worried they will make me sick and I don’t want 6 on other side of my wall… I feel powerless… any tips on what I can do?

So far its delayed for now. They came around month ago saw the notice and didn’t bother… but afraid it will still happen. I do rent but where I am is lovely. Except for this now. Does any other unit resident have any ideas on how to prevent the installation? If it does come in I will have to look at moving. Thanks.

Share your story

Posted in Share your story., Smart Meter, Success in deferring, Tell us your story | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

I am having heart palpitations, racing heart, head pain

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

I am having heart palpitations, racing heart, head pain and experience a surge that goes through my body making the whole of my insides shake-it stops and then it surges through again -all in the middle of the night. Why? Because my smart metre is on my bedroom wall. Some of us are more sensitive to these frequencies than others. I have heard some people can be pregnant and reach the birth without knowing they are pregnant! If I hold a mobile to my ear for 5 minutes I have experienced agonising burning inside my head which can last over an hour. I don’t need to read research because I know my body and I know how it responds when I feed it right and when I don’t. I know what is good for it and what is not. I know how it responds when there is interference in its electrical field. Why don’t we have a choice?! Who will pay the medical bills? I need mine removed sooner rather than later.

Share your story

Posted in electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), headaches, health risks, Heart palpitations | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Delegation to visit the Energy Minister!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Following numerous requests dating back from early December 2011 to meet with Hon. Michael O’Brien, Minister for Energy and Resources, representatives from community groups throughout Victoria have yet to receive any response and, in light of recent smart meter explosions, have organised a delegation to visit his electoral office to personally deliver a copy of the letter to which Minister O’Brien has refused to respond.

The delegation will visit Mr O’Brien’s electoral Office on:

Friday 2nd  March, 2012
11:00 am,
313-315 Waverly Rd, Malvern East

Interested persons are invited to be part of this delegation tomorrow morning.

Update Post

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Success in deferring the installation of a Smart Meter!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

This was sent into us by a Doctor: Over the last couple of weeks I have found that submitting a medical certificate to my electricity supplier SP AusNet has had some success – to defer installation of a Smart Meter.

To quote SP AusNet: “We understand that you have raised concerns about electromagnetic frequencies in regard to smart meters.  As a sign of good faith we will postpone the installation of the meter at your premises. We have contacted our installers and advise them accordingly and we will be in contact with you again in the future to discuss your concerns.”

Obtaining a medical certificate from your treating doctor saying that you have a sensitivity to EMF far beyond the average person, and that EMF significantly aggravates your illness (on the basis that this is actually true), has produced this deferral for several people, myself included.

In my email request to SP AusNet I supplied the statements by the Karolinska Institute and by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine recommending a halt to the roll out of wireless technology including Smart Meters.

I included a copy of the medical certificate from my doctor, as well as my written request:
To SP AusNet, “Please find attached a medical certificate from my treating doctor asking that I be exempted from having a smart meter installed at my residence, due to the particular requirements of my chronic illness.”

I expect there is a section in the government legislation about smart meters allowing an exemption on specific health grounds.  This would be standard practice with regard to all public programs.

I wonder if this issue of violation of an individual’s health needs as certified by their treating doctor is something which could be taken to the Ombudsman, especially if the petition fails.

Posted in electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), health risks, hypersensitivity (EHS), medical certificate, Success in deferring | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Time for Premier Baillieu to order distribution companies to halt smart meter rollout

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu must order electricity distribution companies to call an immediate halt to the smart meter rollout following recent explosions ETU Victorian State Secretary Dean Mighell said today.

“A series of recent explosions involving the distribution company Jemena has shown smart meters to be unreliable and dangerous both to our members who are installing or repairing them and to householders,” Mr Mighell said.

“Premier Ted Baillieu must show some leadership and at the very least call an immediate halt to the rollout until a full and transparent assessment of smart meters is undertaken.”

Mr Mighell pointed to the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules regulations clause 1.71 which have as an essential requirement that electrical equipment which forms part of an electrical installation shall be selected and installed to operate in a safe and reliable manner in the course of normal operating conditions” and further that it “not cause a danger from electric shock, fire, high temperature or physical injury in the event of reasonably expected conditions of abnormal operation, overload, fault or external influences that may apply in the electrical installation.”

“I believe the distribution companies now have an obligation to the ETU and indeed the Victorian community as a whole to demonstrate beyond doubt that smart meters already installed meet those essential requirements,” Mr Mighell said.

Read the rest of this article via Time for Premier Baillieu to order distribution companies to halt smart meter rollout — Electrical Trades Union.

Posted in Blowing up, Dean Mighell, ETU, explosions, Fire, House Fires, Premier Ted Baillieu, Safety, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Exploding Smart Meters

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 29 February, 2012 – 10:44 AM

Dean Mighell, State Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union, has told Neil Mitchell there is ‘absolutely’ the potential for Jemena smart meters to cause house fires.

These claims arise a week after a whistleblower claimed power companies knew smart meters were exploding, but were covering it up from consumers.

A memo sent from Mark Griffith, Manager for Work Practices at Jemena to all of the company’s electricity employees and obtained by the Neil Mitchell program, stated:

Any Electronic meters on the low voltage circuit where the phase injection can be confirmed as a high voltage injection shall be replaced.

Dean Mighell explained this meant that after a house’s power had experienced a power surge, whether by a lightning strike or power outage, that the smart meter would require replacing.

“We’ve seen evidence now starting to emerge very strongly that these things are blowing up either at the time the (electricians) go to put the power on or after it goes out,” Dean Mighell told Neil Mitchell.

Read the rest of the story and LISTEN: Dean Mighell’s interview with Neil Mitchell on exploding smart metres:via Smart Meters need replacing after power surge | 3AW Neil Mitchell |.

Posted in 3AW, Blowing up, explosions, Fire, House Fires, Jemena, Safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

I will live in fear and never be able to leave my home!

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Hey guys..I have no horror story..yet…but…I had occasion today to contact my billing company and it came up about smart meters and that I do not want one. I told the guy on the phone that I had put my name with Powercor to not have one installed at this time..and this guy told me that we all will have to have them and that putting it off is not going to stop us having to have one. I told him I would not have one until a proper investigation was done about the health issues already found..and now the issues of some getting on fire.

This guy ..from Red Energy said to not believe all I read..that there are no substantiated health risks..no more than that when using a mobile..and that the fires were not caused by the meters at all but by wiring etc., I asked him why would an installer say there was..and why isn’t an “allergy” to experiencing too many microwave thingies and the torment it causes in making people have to move out of their homes etc classed as significant to investigate. He said the investigation went ahead and nothing of any significance was found..and that he could GUARANTEE that i would not be affected by having the smart meter..and that he has had one for six months.

My brother is an electrician..and even he does not want one….because of the high sensitivity to the microwave thingies..and the increase of meters going on fire.
He says that these new meters have no surge protection and when there is spiking..well fire can occur..so they are not safe…and he said that all meter boxes need to be fireproofed.

I know that my deathly fear is fire in my home because I have pets. I have smoke detectors etc..and i am very very careful..and one smoke detector alerts a security company if i am not home..however…I do not have anything that I know that can just catch on fire..but, now that i KNOW that having this meter MAY cause fire….I will not be able to leave my home…I will want to stay here on guard..because of my pets etc…and I will try to find stuff that can put out electrical fires..in other words…..I will live in fear 24/7…

It seems that no matter what..I will have to have one of these..and they do not care that my life will be changed forever…that I will live in fear and never be able to leave my home unless someone is here at all times.

I know that this guy at red energy thinks it is all nothing….I do not want to have to live in fear……but, my house will never be able to be left with no one in it… Is there nothing we can do to force these people to not put the meter in..can we start some kind of legal action to protect ourselves..to get the choice of a smart meter or not…I have put off the installation for now..but they will not let me get away with it.

I am getting more scared now about this meter..knowing I will not be able to stop them from installing it……but i also know that people in places like red energy are telling people what that guy told me. How can we fight for the right to have a choice?

Share your story

Posted in Fire, health risks, House Fires, hypersensitivity (EHS), Microwave, Radiation, Share your story., Smart Meter, Tell us your story | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Dean Mighell sparks meters debate — Electrical Trades Union

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Dean Mighell sparks meters debate. On Friday 4 February on Radio 3AW ETU secretary Dean Mighell said he was concerned smart meters were being installed dangerously in some areas by people without the appropriate qualifications. James McIntosh, whose wife received a shock from one of the meters told of how he called United Energy after his wife was shocked and was advised the meter was wired incorrectly. Dean met with Michael O’Brien, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources and was on 3AW on 19 February on – The Big House with Mike Brady and Bill Kusznirczuk. Brief report: ‘Dean Mighell, ETU secretary, takes calls and gives advice. Live from LaManna Direct. Caller Mark asks how to refuse a Smart Meter. Mighell says he has put a sign up on his meter

via Dean Mighell sparks meters debate — Electrical Trades Union.

Posted in Smart Meter | 1 Comment