At ElectraNet, we are serious about the safety of South Australia’s communities. We undertake periodic vegetation management works to ensure that mandatory minimum clearance between vegetation and powerlines is maintained.
Bushfires pose serious danger to people and property and also cause widespread power disruptions. ElectraNet takes precautions at all times through its vegetation management programs, especially in the lead up to bushfire danger season.
Where a transmission line is or will be located on your property and no easement is shown on your title, Legislation prescribes a statutory easement which allows ElectraNet access rights to undertake maintenance or restoration work.
Download factsheet: Vegetation Clearance [pdf 215kb]
Vegetation clearance
ElectraNet has an obligation to maintain legislative mandatory vegetation clearance near transmission lines in accordance with the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 1996. Vegetation Clearance is conducted to satisfy the following criteria
- To minimise the risk of transmission line assets starting fires
- To minimise the risk of electric shock to the public
- In all cases manage reliability and interruption to supply
In September 2007, changes were made to the mandatory vegetation clearance distances. These changes may impact on the degree of vegetation clearance required, depending on span length.
To ensure compliance with this regulation ElectraNet conducts vegetation clearance on a three year cycle state-wide. The State Government has established legislation which defines minimum clearances between transmission lines and vegetation, and defines the species of plants that can be planted and nurtured in the surrounding area. ElectraNet has a statutory responsibility to manage these vegetation clearances around its transmission lines.
In consultation with the Country Fire Service (CFS), ElectraNet addresses risks associated with fire prevention and management. If land is found to contain vegetation which breaches or is likely to breach the prescribed clearances around a transmission line, or is an unsuitable species, an ElectraNet representative will contact the property occupier to discuss available options, including trimming, cutting or removing vegetation.
If you are planting and nurturing new vegetation on your property near a transmission line, you will need to know the appropriate prescribed species, height restrictions and planting distance restrictions. Remember that restrictions vary for different line voltages, so please refer to the current Principles of Vegetation Clearance regulations under the Electricity Act 1996 or alternatively contact an ElectraNet representative to confirm the prescribed planting distance restrictions for your location. For more information, please refer to the SA Country Fire Service website: www.cfs.org.au
Cyclic Vegetation Clearance
The clearance zone profile is extremely complex and ElectraNet employs a professional vegetation management contractor to conduct the vegetation clearance.
The vegetation clearance applicable along the transmission line depends on the following criteria
- Voltage of Transmission line
- Span length between structures
- Location of vegetation within the span.
Planting or Nurturing Vegetation near public powerlines
The Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 1996 Schedule 2 details restrictions to the species of and permissible locations of vegetation planted and nurtured near transmission lines. The restriction to maximum vegetation heights imparts a natural valley in the profile of vegetation when the species are fully matured. The distance restrictions are nominated as Prescribed Distance 1(PD1) and Prescribed Distance 2 (PD2) from the centreline of the transmission line.
