Ausgrid reminds candidates to put safety first ahead of the NSW election campaign

30 January 2023

Rules surrounding the posting of corflutes on electrical assets

Ausgrid is reminding all NSW election candidates and political parties that attaching any material, including posters and corflutes, to power poles poses a serious safety risk and is against the law.

As part of Ausgrid’s commitment to community safety, the electricity network has confirmed it will remove and dispose of any election material attached to power poles during the campaign and will charge the offending candidate up to $150 for each poster removed. 

Rob Amphlett Lewis, Chief Customer Officer at Ausgrid said the aim is to deter candidates from taking an unnecessary risk and sends an important community safety message.   

“We spend hundreds of hours in schools across the network every year, teaching our kids about the dangers of electricity,” Mr Amphlett Lewis said. “One of our key messages is that you should never attempt to climb a power pole, a substation or any electricity asset. Put simply, it’s too dangerous and not worth the risk.

“We are sending a strong message this year as part of our commitment to community safety, in the hope election candidates won’t take the unnecessary risk, and in doing so will set a good example for their communities,” Mr Amphlett Lewis said.

The Electricity Supply Act 1995, The Electoral Act 2017 and Ausgrid’s own network standards all prohibit the attachment of material to electricity assets without approval. Therefore, a person who attaches a poster to an electricity pole without the written consent of its owner is breaching the law.

These standards are in place to ensure the safety of the community and enable Ausgrid workers to continue to focus on providing safe and reliable electricity supply.

You can report posters via our graffiti form or alternatively call Ausgrid on 13 13 65.

For more information please visit:

• Electricity Supply Act 1995 (Part 6, Division 1, Section 65 and 65A)
• Ausgrid Network Standards (NS183, Section 6.3 (b))
• The Electoral Act 2017 - Displaying posters without permission (page 56 or Section 184) (link updated 18/7/23)