THE Telstra pits are breeding. Recognisable by their protective yellow safety barriers, the deep open holes expose telecommunication wires, and are a health and safety concern for neighbourhoods.
They are multiplying across the metropolitan area and Telstra corporate affairs state manager Tony Hancox said the telco was in the middle of an ongoing program to repair or replace the pits.
Many had collapsed and couldn’t be fitted with new concrete lids until they were completely refurbished while others needed to remain open so they could be easily accessed by technicians.
The Times has been contacted by locals twice in the past month, concerned for the welfare of others who may fall prey to holes in their area.
The first was a pit in the middle of a footpath in South Yunderup that the Shire of Murray covered and sign-posted before Telstra finally provided a new lid, just as our article went to print.
The latest complaint comes from Morry and Shirley George, of Wannanup, who said a lidless pit on the verge of an adjacent vacant block had not been repaired since first reported three months ago.
Mrs George said reported the hole to Mandurah council which, like the Shire of Murray, was not responsible for the infrastructure but emailed Telstra to appeal for its repair.
A Telstra contractor then erected a safety barrier and returned later to make it secure after it fell down.