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Keep trees and other vegetation clear of powerlines

Legislation on trees

Use ActewAGL-accredited tree surgeons

Trim to allow for a 3-year re-growth

Clearing around poles

Planting hints

Emergencies and faults

13 10 93 - Electricity

13 11 93 - Water, Sewerage and Stormwater

13 19 09 - Gas

24 hours

Tree trimming and backyard powerlines

Keep trees and other vegetation clear of powerlines

Under ACT law, occupants of private property are responsible to keep trees and other vegetation clear of powerlines unless, under your property lease, tree trimming is the landlord's responsibility. This includes the cost of clearing trees and other vegetation unless it was growing before the powerline was installed.

The following references to "trees" include "or other vegetation".

Trees growing near powerlines cause blackouts and create safety hazards. They can cause grass fires and bushfires or create a risk of electrocution.

Legislation on trees

A person who permits any part of a tree to be too close to powerlines can be fined up to $1000. There is also a fine of up to $1000 for a person clearing a tree if any part of the tree is too close to a powerline.

Trees are too close to a powerline if any part of the tree is within or likely to come within the following minimum distances:

• Low Voltage (up to and including 1000V) insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service cables: 1.0m
• Low Voltage (up to and including 1000V) aerial conductor or covered aerial cable: 1.5m
• High Voltage (greater than 1000V and up to and including 33000V) aerial conductor or aerial cable: 2.0m
• Extra High Voltage (greater than 33000V and up to and including 132000V) aerial conductor or aerial cable: 3.0m

The minimum distance from any part of the line is measured from the nearest point to which the line sags or swings. If you are not sure of the voltage of the line, contact ActewAGL on 6248 3555. The minimum distance from any part of the line is measured from the nearest point to which the line sags or swings.

Use ActewAGL-accredited tree surgeons

If trees are within the minimum distances you must use only tree surgeons who are accredited by ActewAGL.

Accredited tree surgeons are trained to follow safe work practices in the dangerous environment near powerlines irrespective of whether the line is de-energised or energised. Skyline Tree Surgery are ActewAGL accredited Tree Surgeons.

Trim to allow for a 3-year re-growth

The distances above are minimum clearance distances, but we strongly advise that you trim trees to allow for a 3-year regrowth. To keep the costs of repeat trimming down you should trim trees to at least 2.5 metres from low voltage lines and at least 3 metres from lines that are between 1000 volts and 33,000 volts.

In bushfire-prone areas the minimum distance should be increased by at least half a metre, and the space vertically above the powerlines should be kept clear of trees at all times.

Where trees are not within minimum clearance distances, and assuming that there is no risk of a trimmed branch falling too close to an ActewAGL powerline, then there is no legal requirement that the people trimming the trees be accredited by ActewAGL. Of course, carelessness near powerlines can lead to a fatal accident and, even where minimum distances to powerlines are not encroached, ActewAGL advise that accredited tree surgeons be engaged for tree trimming.

Clearing around poles

We regularly inspect power poles so they must be easy to access. You must maintain a 1.5 metre clearance around any ActewAGL pole on your property. Apart from boundary fences, all obstructions such as trees, garden sheds, compost heaps and chicken pens must be kept away from the pole. If there is a hard surface within a distance of 0.5 metres around the pole, you must be able to temporarily remove it for routine pole inspections. Normal masonry pavers are an ideal hard surface to have near a pole.

Planting hints

New trees should be planted at a distance from the power pole that is equal to the expected height of the tree.

When planting:

• dig a hole that is 50 per cent wider and 50 mm deeper than the pot
• cut back damaged roots carefully, make shallow slices to the root ball and cut circling roots to promote natural root growth
• water well immediately
• mulch to retain moisture and control weeds
• keep mulch clear of stem
• pat down soil to remove air pockets
• click for suggested ActewAGL Plant list