Responsibilities for vegetation around poles and wires on private property

Property owners are responsible for keeping private overhead powerlines free of vegetation. They are also responsible for ensuring that their powerlines and poles are inspected, tested and maintained at regular intervals. See the scenarios below for helping working out your responsibilities.

Trimming or removing vegetation near powerlines is highly dangerous. Any tree trimming performed near Ausgrid powerlines must be done by workers accredited under the SafeWork Code of Practice for Work Near Overhead Powerlines and the work must be carried out according to the Code of Practice.

As a Network Operator, Ausgrid is responsible for trimming vegetation around network assets that are not situated on private property.

Guidelines and plans

The tree trimming guidelines, standards and plans below determine how we manage vegetation across our network.

In consultation with councils and communities, we have developed Ausgrid’s Tree Safety Management Plan which sets out our vegetation management program and the minimum clearance distances that must be maintained between the electricity network and vegetation. It is a property owner's responsibility to ensure that the minimum clearance zones are kept free from vegetation.

Ausgrid’s bushfire safety responsibilities

As part of the conditions of our network operating licence, Ausgrid operates a Bushfire Prevention Program to check for potential hazards around the network in bushfire zones, This includes identifying vegetation growing in proximity to private poles and overhead powerlines. Where hazards are identified, property owners are requested to rectify the issue.

 

 

Scenarios for tree trimming responsibilities for property owners

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens where vegetation grows too close to powerlines on a private property?

Ausgrid should be contacted for advice if the Minimum Vegetation Clearance is compromised. Where the landowner or occupier is responsible for vegetation management, then they should engage an accredited or authorised Contractor to carry out the work.

What is Minimum Vegetation Clearance?

Clearances are 0.5 to 6m depending on species, location and bushfire risk.

Can a property owner trim trees near the network?

No. Trimming or removal of vegetation near powerlines can be extremely dangerous. Any tree trimming performed within three metres of Ausgrid powerlines must only be done by workers accredited under the SafeWork Code of Practice for Work Near Overhead Powerlines and the work must be carried out according to the Code of Practice. Ausgrid employs qualified arborists, horticulturalists and specialist maintenance crews who make sure the trimming is done to all required standards and the trees remain healthy. Find out more.

Each year we inspect our network assets in bushfire zones, and we may serve defect rectification notices where trees do not meet required clearance distances. If landowners and occupiers with responsibility for vegetation management do not maintain the Minimum Vegetation Clearances, or do not permit Ausgrid to, Ausgrid may issue a defect notice and may arrange for the work to be done and could charge the landowner or occupier for the costs, in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act 1995 (NSW). 

If you are unsure and would like us to assess a tree growing close to powerlines, please report it and we will send someone to inspect and advise what should be done and by whom.  

When and where do we trim trees around our network?

As part of Ausgrid’s Vegetation Management Program, we trim dead or dying trees and limbs that could potentially impact the network. We publish monthly tree trimming schedules for our activities across Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions. We share tree trimming schedules one month ahead. Check tree trimming locations.

Who does Ausgrid use to carry out vegetation management? 

Clearing vegetation within the space that SafeWork deems is a ‘No Go Zone’ can only be carried out by companies contracted to Ausgrid.

Since March 2020, Ausgrid has engaged three specialist contractors to complete this program; Asplundh Tree Experts for the Newcastle and Hunter region, TreeServe for the Central Coast and Northern Sydney region and Active Tree Services for the Southern and Eastern Sydney Region. 

Ausgrid’s contractors undertake trimming according to the industry agreed standards: Ausgrid’s network standard (NS179), the Industry Safety Steering Committee Guide for Management of Vegetation near Electricity Assets (ISSC3) and the Australian Standard Pruning of Amenity Trees (AS4373). 

Clearance of tree clippings 

Following the completion of tree trimming in local streets, our contractors will clear any clippings within 48 business hours. If we trim on a Friday or Saturday, the clippings may not be removed until Monday or Tuesday. In the event that tree clippings have been left on the kerbside for over 48 hours, you can request removal online. Please note that Ausgrid is not responsible for clippings created by other utilities or by councils.