Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has issued six fines worth almost $30,000 to three offenders for failing to keep trees safely clear of powerlines across Victoria.
Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electrocutions and power outages, which can lead to property damage and in serious cases injury and even loss of life.
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Two fines were issued to Powercor for breaches in high bushfire risk areas around Elingamite and Brucknell and one to AusNet Services for a breach in urban parts of Narre Warren with all three instances creating a fire threat ahead of summer.
Three fines have also been issued to Maroondah City Council in Melbourne’s east for breaches that seriously threatened electricity supply with burnt vegetation observed to have contacted a critical power supply feeder.
In late June, ESV was given new powers to issue fines of up to $4,623 for each line clearance breach.
The energy safety regulator’s previous line clearance enforcement powers were limited to issuing warnings or notices to take corrective action or prosecution through the court system in more severe cases.
Electricity companies (responsible for powerlines on private land and regional public land) and councils (urban public land) are responsible for maintaining trees within safe distances under the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020.
When issuing fines, ESV’s focus will be risk based with infringements issued in situations where a line clearance breach is seriously impacting the safety of people and property.
In response to widespread non-compliance or where serious harm or property damage, ESV may prosecute in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Prosecution Guidelines.
La Nina conditions have resulted in substantial vegetation growth, which must be maintained clear of electric lines to prevent a serious bushfire risk. ESV enforcement officers will be traveling across Victoria throughout the year, inspecting sites to ensure trees are not too close to powerlines.
To highlight the dangers of trees being too close to powerlines, ESV has produced a short animation, which also alerts the community to the line clearance responsibilities across Victoria.
More than 1,100 power outages are caused by trees touching powerlines occur in Victoria each year, affecting 400,000 residences and businesses.
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ESV chairperson and commissioner Marnie Williams said, “ESV will not hesitate to issue fines for breaches that may seriously impact the safety of people and property.
“We will hold those responsible for line clearance to account. We carry out regular inspections and audits particularly in the months leading into summer.”
