Sunday, April 5, 2009

Not obsessing


I have sometimes been accused of "not having a life" in my comments, which is an interesting statement for those that don't know me to make.  A bit of personal abuse is not going to make me pack up shop and go away.  If anything, it strengthens my purpose.  

I have posted very little this week because I don't have anything new to say.  I haven't let up though with reporting graffiti to Australia Post and Energy Australia.  I've been using their web based systems for reporting, and I have to say that it is almost faster to write them a letter than to use their web based systems.  They have no hope of ever reaching a 24 hour turnaround time to remove graffiti when it takes them 2-5 days to respond to a web query.

Energy Australia did repaint a substation in this area last week, which is a good thing.  However, the contractor that they engaged to do the job only painted over the graffiti on the brick work - they didn't bother though to remove graffiti on the signage.  Is that pointless or what?  The idea is to clean 100% of the surface area, not 90%.  The place still looks messy, but the painting contractor can claim that they did their job, and they deserve payment.

Whoever engaged the contractor needs a boot up the backside.

Clearly, removing graffiti is not a core business activity for Energy Australia.  Given the blackouts we've had in the CBD this week, you could also argue that delivering reliable electricity is also not a core business activity either - but that is a different matter.

Since graffiti is non-core, they appear to have completely outsourced it to contract painters.  If that is the case, why not outsource the activity to local councils, like ours, who offer a total graffiti removal service and not just a painting service?  The example of this substation shows that they need someone who can do more than just paint - they need a service that can wash graffiti off where appropriate and paint over it where appropriate.  

This means I am going to have to report the substation again, this time asking for the signage to be cleaned.  What I don't understand is how the local management of Energy Australia could let this slip by.  Has no one been out to inspect the work of the painting contractor?  If they did visit, did they spot the remaining graffiti and think that the job was incomplete, and further cleaning was required?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well, I am not sure what to say, except that I find you completely refreshing, energetic and purposed..Who cares what other people think..This is your life, live it to the fullest, the best way you know how, be good to others, and to yourself.

And, Kudos to you, it is not always easy to be "in the right" or to "do the right thing". The law is the law, and sometimes, it takes the constituents to stand up and say "stop", "go" or whatever message you have for the government. Peaceful resolution and sometimes a "boot up the backside" giggle..love that line