Trees and vegetation
ESV has compiled a list FAQs on trees and vegetation. If your query is not addressed below, please contact us.It is either the responsibility of the Electricity Distribution Business or local council. The Electricity Distribution Business for your area will be able to clarify who is responsible.
Find out the Electricity Distribution Business for your area here.
Electricity Distribution Business own and manage the power poles and wires that deliver power to homes and businesses across the state.
Electricity Distribution Businesses are sometimes also called ‘power companies’, ‘electricity distributors’ or ‘distribution businesses’.
Your Electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live and you can find them here.
It is the responsibility of the Electricity Distribution Business to clear trees around any powerlines, or service lines outside of your property boundary.
If you think a tree or powerline is unsafe, you must contact the Electricity Distribution Business for your area.
In Hazardous Bushfire Risk Areas the timing is usually at least once every year. For Low Bushfire Risk Areas the inspection period is typically between one and three years.
All incidents involving trees and powerlines are to be reported to the Electricity Distribution Business.
If you have concerns about the safety of a person working around powerlines contact WorkSafe.
When a tree is within your property boundary and the service line connects to your house then it is the responsibility of the occupier or owner.
If the tree is within your property boundary, but the service line is connected to your neighbour’s property, it is the responsibility of the Electricity Distribution Business to clear trees around the service line.
Our Advisors can provide guidance on the requirements of the line clearance rules and regulations.
This depends on who has employed you to complete the tree clearing work.
You must contact the Electricity Distribution Business for your area to speak with someone about having trees around powerlines trimmed.
Jump to:
- Who is responsible for clearing trees around powerlines on the nature strip?
- What is an Electricity Distribution Business?
- If a tree is on my property, do I have to clear it from the powerlines that exist outside my property boundary?
- Who can inspect a tree or powerline that I think is unsafe?
- How often does vegetation around powerlines get checked and trimmed?
- Who do I talk to if a tree has fallen on a powerline?
- Who is responsible for clearing trees around the service line?
- Who can give advice on the rules or regulations for line clearance?
- What training do I need to clear vegetation around power lines?
- Who can I talk to about trimming vegetation around powerlines?