Working with Landholders
ElectraNet values the relationships it has with its landholders
ElectraNet’s 9,000 landholders play an important role in supporting the delivery of a safe, secure and reliable power supply to the South Australian community across our almost 6,000 kilometres of transmission network.
ElectraNet have easements on landholder’s properties that allow us to build, operate and maintain the transmission infrastructure that moves high-voltage electricity from where it is generated, to where it is needed.
Landholder engagement
ElectraNet’s priority is to engage openly, honestly, cooperatively and respectfully with our landholders to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes. Each landholder we work with is different, therefore engagement is undertaken through a variety of methods including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, letters and email.
ElectraNet requires regular access to assets located on landholder properties to meet its legislated requirements. Written notification will be provided to the occupier prior to access, with the exception of emergency situations.
ElectraNet also have a number of landholder ‘special requirements’ that ElectraNet and its contractors are required to meet. Special requirements are conditions that a landholder and ElectraNet agree upon that can include property/easement access arrangements, biosecurity requirements such as vehicle wash-down and aerial inspections.
Update your contact information
If you need to update your contact details or special requirements, please download and complete the information in this form. Once completed, please return the form to:
enquiry.landholder@electranet.com.au OR
ElectraNet – Attention Land Services
PO Box 7096 Hutt Street Post Office, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Aerial inspections
ElectraNet is committed to operating and maintaining an efficient and safe transmission network. Each year, ElectraNet undertakes inspections of its overhead transmission lines using helicopters and drones to identify any potential issues.
Aerial inspections are a critical part of ElectraNet’s bushfire readiness program. Pre-bushfire inspections generally occur between June and September, with further inspections beginning in November and finishing in January. These inspections reduce the possibility of supply interruptions, and ensure the safety of the public and the network.
Aerial inspections occur along all major transmission lines across South Australia including the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Plains, Upper and Mid North, Flinders Ranges, Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas and the Upper and Lower South East. ElectraNet will advertise when inspections will take place in your region in the local paper.
ElectraNet respects that many of our landholders are in rural areas and may have livestock that can be ‘startled’ by helicopters. As such, ElectraNet will, upon request, implement a ‘no fly’ or ‘caution’ zone over these properties. If you would like request one of these zones, please complete this form and return it to Enquiry.Landholder@electranet.com.au
If you would like further information regarding aerial inspections please contact our Landholder Relations Advisor on 1800 413 331.
2020 South East Field Days
ElectraNet will be at this year’s South East Field Days at Yakka Park, Lucindale, on March 20 and 21.
One of the key features of our stand will be the promotion of the Look Up and Live message. We’re working closely with SA Power Networks to highlight how important it is to ensure property owners are familiar with essential safety precautions if they have powerlines on their property or operate heavy vehicles, cranes, farm machinery, light aircraft and recreational vessels.
We encourage all of our landholders and interested community members attending the event to stop by and say hello to the ElectraNet team.
For more information about this year’s South East Field Days click here.
2019 Riverland and Yorke Peninsula Field Days
Thank you to all our landholders and members of the community who came and had a chat with us at the Riverland and Yorke Peninsula field days this year. The field days were a great opportunity for us to get feedback about the work ElectraNet and its contractors do, as well as share information with you about some of our big projects.
Well look forward to seeing you all again next year, beginning with the South East Field Days at Lucindale on 20 and 21 March 2020. For more information at the South East Field Days click here.
ElectraNet's roles and responsibilities
ElectraNet predominantly works under the Electricity Act 1996 and is required to meet its obligations under this Act. These obligations relate to:
- Vegetation management
- Aerial inspections
- Bushfire patrols and summer readiness
- Ground patrols
Meeting these obligations ensures ElectraNet can provide a safe, reliable and secure power supply.
Downloads
ElectraNet has a range of information sheets available to landholders and the community to inform them about how we operate and engage, and general safety information.
Safety around transmission lines
Coming into contact with or getting close to high-voltage transmission lines and cables can be extremely dangerous. To stay safe, if you are working and operating close to powerlines and cables, you will need to observe minimum clearance distances. The Government of South Australia has provided detailed information on working safely around powerlines.
If you are doing work with the potential to breach minimum clearance distances to high-voltage powerlines, you must inform ElectraNet’s System Control Centre in advance on 1800 243 853 (toll-free).
For further information on minimum clearance distances, please email Easement Enquiries.
If you are in any doubt about the operating distances near transmission lines, we can provide you with plans and other assistance to help prevent damage and personal injury.
Landowners and occupiers should be aware that raising ground levels underneath powerlines to create a flat surface will further reduce minimum clearance distances. This activity is prohibited by law.
The construction of any permanent structure near powerlines is also prohibited, including but not limited to sheds, silos, fences, swimming pools or loading-bays.
For more information, please view our Land Use Guidelines.
To minimise the risk of power outages, damage to powerlines or fire starts, ElectraNet does vegetation management works to make sure that legally required clearance distances between vegetation and powerlines are maintained.
We inspect and clear powerlines within a designated bushfire or high bushfire rated area every year, while lines in all other areas are inspected and cleared every three years.
Read more about the legal requirements for clearance distances from the Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2010
. Further information is also available from our Vegetation Management factsheet.
Landowners or occupiers who contract low-flying aerial applicator services have a duty of care to provide pilots with a comprehensive map of the treatment area and property, including details of any powerline hazards. All powerlines on your property and within the treatment area must be displayed on the map with the voltage noted. Pilots need this essential information to develop their risk assessments and formulate a safe flight/work plan.
The Aerial Application Pilots’ Manual, published jointly by the Aerial Agricultural Association and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, describes safety procedures for pilots of light aircraft working around powerlines.
Minimum working clearances are prescribed by law, depending on the type of activity being carried out. Road traffic rules stipulate a safety height limit for vehicles, including whip aerials, grain chutes and other vehicle extensions.
If your vehicle or an employee’s vehicle exceeds this limit when fully extended or if it is absolutely necessary for people to work near powerlines and/or on top of a vehicle, it is required by the Road Traffic Act that you first:
- obtain the necessary exemptions from the Road Transport Authority
- inform ElectraNet’s System Control Centre on 1800 243 853 (toll-free) to ensure the potential for electrocution is minimized.
Contacting any powerline with any object is extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury. This includes contact with machinery or vessels, or extensions such as grain chutes, aerials, or flags on mastheads.
Remember to check for the location of overhead powerlines and potential electrical hazards, and be aware of working or undertaking leisure activities safely near overhead powerlines.
If the vehicle you are operating contacts a powerline, remain in the vehicle until the power is switched off and do not move around excessively. Use a mobile phone to make contact with others if possible.
It may become necessary to leave your vehicle. Only do this if:
- you are personally in danger of touching the powerline
- a fire starts
- it is unlikely that anyone else will know of your situation
If it becomes necessary to leave your vehicle, the following steps must be followed to maximise your safety:
- Do not climb on top of the vehicle.
- When leaving the vehicle, do not touch both the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
- Jump off the vehicle so that no part of your body (like your hand) is still touching the vehicle when any part of your body (like your foot) touches the ground.
- Land on your feet without your hands touching the ground.
- Calmly walk away from the vehicle with small steps.
- Once you leave the vehicle, do not return until you are absolutely certain the power has been switched off.
Make sure you keep others away from the vehicle. Bystanders should not approach or touch the vehicle or anyone on it until they are absolutely certain the power has been switched off. Emergency Services (Telephone: 000) should be advised of the incident as soon as possible.
Useful links
The following links will take you to the websites of regulatory, technical and operational groups related to the electricity industry.
Office of the Technical Regulator (SA)
Office of The Technical Regulator (SA) – Powerline Safety
Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA)
More information
If you have any questions relating to an ElectraNet easement on your property or for more information about our work with landholders please call 1800 413 331 or email enquiry.landholder@electranet.com.au