Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005

Version No.
001
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)

Regulations 2005
S.R. No. 74/2005
Version as at 30 June 2005
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation
1.
Objectives
2.
Authorising provisions
3.
Commencement
4.
Revocation
5.
Definitions
6.
Prescribed voltage
7.
Prescribed Code of Practice
8.
Prescribed penalty provisions
9.
Management plans
10. Exemptions
11. Expiry
__________________
SCHEDULECode of Practice for Electric Line Clearance
Page
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
7
7
8
ENDNOTES
29
1. General Information
29
2. Table of Amendments
30
3. Explanatory Details
31
Version No. 001
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)

Regulations 2005
S.R. No. 74/2005
Version as at 30 June 2005
1. Objectives
The objectives of these Regulations are to
(a) prescribe the Code of Practice for Electric
Line Clearance;
(b) prescribe
(i) standards and practices to be adopted
and observed in tree pruning or clearing
in the vicinity of electric lines and the
keeping of the whole or any part of
vegetation clear of electric lines;
(ii) management procedures to minimise
danger of electric lines causing fire or
electrocution;
(iii) other matters for or with respect to the
maintenance of electric lines;
(c) provide for management plans relating to
compliance with the Code;
(d) provide for other matters authorised under
the Act relating to electric line clearance.
2. Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 89,
151 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
3. Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on 30 June
2005.
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4. Revocation
The Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance)
(Interim) Regulations 20041 are revoked.
5. Definitions
In these Regulations
"clear" means to cut and remove the whole of a
tree or plant;
"Code of Practice" means the Code of Practice
in the Schedule.
6. Prescribed voltage
For the purposes of the definition of "low voltage
electric line" in section 3 of the Electricity Safety
Act 1998, the prescribed voltage is 1000 volts
alternating current or 1500 volts direct current.
7. Prescribed Code of Practice
For the purposes of Part 8 of the Electricity
Safety Act 1998, the Code of Practice in the
Schedule is prescribed as the Code of Practice for
Electric Line Clearance.
8. Prescribed penalty provisions
For the purposes of section 90 of the Electricity
Safety Act 1998, clauses 2.1, 2.2, 3, 4.1, 6.1, 6.2,
7, 8.1 and 8.2 of the Code of Practice are the
prescribed provisions of the Code.
9. Management plans
(1) In this regulation, "responsible person" means a
person referred to in section 84(4), (5), (6) or (7)
of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
(2) A responsible person must take reasonable steps
to ensure that a management plan relating to
compliance with the Code of Practice has been
prepared and approved by the Office.

S.R. No. 74/2005
(3) A responsible person must before 28 February in
each year prepare and submit to the Office for
approval a management plan relating to
compliance with the Code of Practice for the next
financial year that satisfies the requirements of
sub-regulation (4).
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) The management plan must specify
(a) the name, address and telephone number of
the responsible person;
(b) the name, position, address and telephone
number of the person who was responsible
for the preparation of the plan;
(c) the name, position, address and telephone
number of the persons who are responsible
for carrying out the plan;
(d) the telephone number of a person who can be
contacted in an emergency that requires
clearance of an electric line that the
responsible person is required to keep clear
of vegetation;
(e) the objectives of the plan;
(f) a description and map of the land to which
the management plan applies identifying
(i) the location of areas of vegetation and
the predominant category of vegetation
in those areas;
(ii) the location of areas of vegetation
(A) determined by the relevant
municipal council to be
historically or culturally important
vegetation or vegetation of
outstanding aesthetic value; or
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(B) that is specified in a relevant
planning scheme to be of
botanical or ecological
significance; or
(C) that is the habitat of rare or
endangered species
which may need to be pruned or cleared
to ensure compliance with the Code of
Practice;
(iii) the location of electric lines that the
responsible person is required to keep
clear of vegetation;
(g) details of the methods that will be used to
avoid and minimise the impact on vegetation
referred to in paragraph (f)(ii);
(h) the long term strategies to minimise
(i) the risk of electric lines starting fires or
causing electrocution; and
(ii) the adverse effects of electric lines on
surrounding vegetation; and
(iii) the risk to the safe operation of electric
lines due to vegetation that is likely to
grow into or encroach on the clearance
space required by the Code of Practice;
(i) the methods proposed to be adopted for
maintaining the clearance space required by
the Code of Practice between electric lines
and vegetation;
(j) the alternative methods that may be adopted
for maintaining the clearance space required
by the Code of Practice between electric
lines and vegetation if a person objects to the
methods proposed by the responsible person
and details of how the alternative methods
are to be implemented;
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(k) the methods to be adopted to prevent excess
pruning or clearing of vegetation;
(l) the length of the period between each
pruning or clearing of vegetation;
(m) the qualifications, proficiency and
experience that the responsible person will
require of the persons who are to carry out
the pruning or clearing of vegetation;
(n) details of the technical standards that the
responsible person will apply or have regard
to in connection with electric line clearance
work;
(o) the management procedures to be adopted by
the responsible person to ensure compliance
with the Code of Practice, which must
include details of the following
(i) the procedures to be adopted to identify
locations where the pruning or clearing
of vegetation will be required;
(ii) the methods to be used to calculate the
dimensions of the space beyond the
clearance space required by the Code of
Practice that must be pruned or cleared
to allow for anticipated vegetation
regrowth into the clearance space
between pruning or clearing;
(iii) the methods to be used to monitor
conditions in the area beyond the
regrowth space referred to in subparagraph (ii) to identify any vegetation
that could become a hazard to the
safety of the electric lines under the
range of weather conditions that can
reasonably be expected to prevail in
that area, having regard to the need to
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prune or clear that vegetation in
accordance with the Code;
(iv) the methods to be used to calculate the
length of the period required between
each pruning or clearing of vegetation;
(v) the methods and requirements that are
to be used to ensure that urgent pruning
or clearing to maintain the clearance
space between each clearing or pruning
time specified in the plan should not be
required;
(vi) the conditions under which urgent
pruning or clearing to maintain the
clearance space between each clearing
or pruning time specified in the plan
will be undertaken;
(p) a description of the information and
materials relating to electric line clearance
that the responsible person makes available
to the Office and the public and details of the
place and times at which they are available;
(q) a description of the measures that will be
used to assess the performance of the
responsible person under the management
plan;
(r) details of the audit processes that will be
used to determine the responsible person's
compliance with the Code of Practice;
(s) a dispute resolution procedure that
(i) identifies the name, position, address
and telephone number of the
appropriate person who is responsible
for resolving disputes between the
responsible person and members of the
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(ii) identifies an external dispute resolution
procedure to be followed if the dispute
cannot be resolved directly with the
responsible person.
(5) The Office may require the responsible person to
provide further information or material in respect
of the management plan.
(6) A responsible person must not contravene or fail
to comply with a requirement of the management
plan that has been approved by the Office with
respect to that person.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(7) A responsible person must ensure that a copy of
the management plan approved by the Office is
available for inspection by the public at the
person's principal office in the State during normal
business hours.
10. Exemptions
The Office may exempt a responsible person from
any of the requirements of these Regulations
subject to any conditions specified by the Office.
11. Expiry
These Regulations cease to have any force or
effect on 30 June 2010.
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SCHEDULE
Regulations 5, 7
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE
PART 1PRELIMINARY
INTERPRETATION
1. Definitions
1.1 In this Code
"aerial bundled cable" means an insulated electric line
certified as being manufactured to Australian
Standard AS 3560 or Part 1 or Part 2 of AS 3599;
"affected person" means, in relation to the pruning or
clearing of vegetation on land, an owner or occupier
(including a person who is responsible for the
management of public land) of abutting land where
the pruning or clearing will affect the use of that
abutting land;
"away" in relation to a pole holding an electric line, means
that section of the electric line that is not near the
pole;
"clear" means to cut and remove the whole of a tree or
plant;
"constructed" includes reconstructed or structurally
altered;
"hazardous bushfire risk area" means
(a) an area that a fire control authority has assigned
a fire hazard rating of "high" under section 80
of the Act; or
(b) any other area that is not an urban area unless a
fire control authority has assigned to that area a
fire hazard rating of "low" under section 80 of
the Act;
"insulated cable" means a low voltage, multi-core electric
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S.R. No. 74/2005
"low bushfire risk area" means
(a) an area that a fire control authority has assigned
a fire hazard rating of "low" under section 80 of
the Act; or
(b) an urban area within the meaning of the Act;
"low voltage" means a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts
alternating current or 1500 volts direct current;
"near" in relation to a pole holding an electric line, means
within a distance to the pole of 1/6th of the span of the
electric line;
"nominal voltage" means the voltage at which the electric
line is designed to operate;
"powerline" means an electric line with a nominal voltage
of 66 000 volts or less but does not include a
transmission line;
"sag", in relation to a conductor, means the vertical
displacement of the conductor below the point at
which the conductor is attached to the supporting
structure and includes any extra displacement caused
by hot weather or high load current;
"sway", in relation to a conductor, means the horizontal
displacement of the conductor caused by wind;
"the Act" means the Electricity Safety Act 1998;
"transmission line" means
(a) an electric line with a nominal voltage of more
than 66 000 volts; or
(b) an electric line operating at 66 000 volts that is
supported on a tower structure or that is
adjacent to an electric line that has a nominal
voltage greater than 66 000 volts;
"vegetation" means the whole or any part of a tree or plant.
1.2 In this Code, all words and expressions have the same
meaning as in the Act.
1.3 The figures used in this Code are for illustrative purposes
only and are not intended to be a comprehensive depiction
of the situation they illustrate or to extend the meaning of
the clause or Table to which they relate.
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PART 2CLEARANCE SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL
ELECTRIC LINES
2. Clearance space for electric lines
2.1 A responsible person must create and maintain a clearance
space in all directions around a powerline in accordance
with
(a) Parts 2 and 3 of this Code; and
(b) Tables 9.3, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 11.1 in the Schedule
to this Code.
2.2 A responsible person that owns or operates a transmission
line must create and maintain a clearance space in all
directions around the transmission line in all conditions of
sag and sway of the conductors in accordance with
(a) Parts 2 and 4 of this Code; and
(b) Table 13.1 in the Schedule to this Code.
3. Notice requirements
Before performing any pruning or clearing required by this
Code, a responsible person must
(a) obtain permission from
(i) in the case of pruning, the occupier of the land
on which the vegetation is to be pruned;
(ii) in the case of clearing, the owner and the
occupier of the land on which the vegetation is
to be cleared and any affected person; or
(b) give at least 14 days written notice
(i) of pruning, to the occupier of the land on which
the vegetation is to be pruned and to any
affected person;
(ii) of clearing, to the owner and the occupier of the
land on which the vegetation is to be cleared
and to any affected person; or
(c) if, after taking reasonable steps the responsible person
is unable to give notice under paragraph (b), give
21 days notice of pruning or clearing in a newspaper
circulating generally in the locality of the land on
which the vegetation is to be pruned.
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4. Consultation requirements
4.1 A responsible person must ensure that before commencing
any pruning or clearing under this Code, the following
requirements are undertaken
(a) in the case of pruning, consultation with the occupier
of the land on which vegetation is to be pruned and
with any affected persons and the taking of reasonable
steps to negotiate
(i) agreement with the occupier and affected
persons about the pruning to be undertaken if
the pruning will change the established practice
for that location; or
(ii) a modification of the pruning to be undertaken
or an alternative method for maintaining the
clearance space if the occupier or an affected
person objects to the pruning proposed in a
notice under clause 3(b) or (c);
(b) in the case of pruning, consultation with the occupier
of the land on which the vegetation is to be pruned
and the taking of reasonable steps to negotiate
methods of disposal of debris resulting from the
pruning that are acceptable to the occupier;
(c) in the case of clearing, the taking of reasonable steps
to consult and negotiate with the owner of the land on
which vegetation is to be cleared and with affected
persons concerning
(i) the clearing of the vegetation that is acceptable
to the owner and those persons; or
(ii) a method for maintaining the clearance space
other than clearing the vegetation that is
acceptable to the owner and those persons;
(d) in the case of clearing, the taking of reasonable steps
to consult and negotiate with the owner of the land on
which the vegetation is to be cleared about methods of
disposal of vegetation resulting from the clearing that
are acceptable to the owner;
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(e) in the case of pruning or clearing, consultation with
the occupier of the land on which the vegetation is to
be pruned or cleared, concerning arrangements for
(i) access by the responsible person to clearance
spaces; and
(ii) the use of chemicals.
4.2 A responsible person must have a written statement setting
out the methods that the person will use to carry out the
consultation and negotiation required under clause 4.1 and
the time limits within which the consultation and negotiation
will be carried out.
4.3 A responsible person must not commence pruning or
clearing the following vegetation before obtaining advice
from a qualified arborist or horticulturalist in relation to the
regrowth of that vegetation
(a) vegetation that is determined by the relevant
municipal council to be historically or culturally
important vegetation or vegetation of outstanding
aesthetic value;
(b) vegetation that is specified in a relevant planning
scheme to be of botanical or ecological significance;
(c) vegetation that is the habitat of rare or endangered
fauna or flora species.
URGENT PRUNING OR CLEARING
5. Exemptions from notice and consultation requirements
urgent pruning or clearing
Clauses 3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 do not apply to a responsible
person referred to in section 84(4), 84(5), 84(6) or 84(7) of
the Act that is undertaking urgent pruning or urgent clearing
required
(a) as a result of encroachment or growth of vegetation
that was not anticipated in the management plan; or
(b) as a result of a tree falling or damage to a tree
requiring the tree to be cleared to maintain the
clearance space required by this Code; or
(c) from 1 November in any year until the end of the fire
danger period declared under the Country Fire
Authority Act 1958.
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6. Requirements for urgent pruning or clearing
6.1 A responsible person referred to in section 84(4), 84(5),
84(6) or 84(7) of the Act that carries out urgent pruning or
urgent clearing referred to in clause 5(a) or 5(c) must not
clear the vegetation for a distance exceeding 1 metre beyond
the clearance space (including the distance allowed for the
sag and sway of the conductors).
6.2 A responsible person referred to in section 84(4), 84(5),
84(6) or 84(7) of the Act that has carried out urgent pruning
or urgent clearing referred to in clause 5 must, as soon as
practicable after completing the pruning or clearing,
notify
(a) the occupier of the land on which vegetation was
pruned and affected persons of the pruning; and
(b) the owner and occupier of the land on which
vegetation was cleared and affected persons of the
clearing.
6.3 The responsible person referred to in section 84(4), 84(5),
84(6) or 84(7) of the Act that undertakes any urgent pruning
or clearing referred to in clause 5 must record details of
(a) where and when the pruning or clearing was
undertaken;
(b) details of why the pruning or clearing was required;
(c) details of the last inspection of that section of the
electric line where the pruning or clearing was
required.
6.4 The information recorded under clause 6.3 must be kept for
a period of at least 2 years.
ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION BY SPECIFIC BODIES
7. Additional duties of local councils, the Roads Corporation and
others
If a responsible person referred to in section 84(4) or (6) of
the Act is aware of the concerns of any person about the
safety of pruning or clearing vegetation near a powerline,
the responsible person must consult
(a) if a railway or tramway company owns or operates
that powerline, the railway or tramway company; and
(b) in all other cases, the distribution company that is
responsible for distributing power to that powerline.
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8. Management procedures to minimise danger
8.1 A distribution company must, at least once a year, advise
occupiers of land above the surface of which there is a
private electric line that is within its distribution area of the
following matters
(a) the duties of the responsible person under this Code;
(b) the dangers of pruning and clearing vegetation;
(c) the precautions that should be taken to safely maintain
the line.
8.2 A distribution company must, in relation to its distribution
area, on the request of a responsible person advise that
person
(a) how to identify places where the pruning or clearing
of vegetation will be required; and
(b) where to obtain advice and information on methods
for maintaining clearance between electric lines and
vegetation.
PART 3POWERLINE CLEARANCE

9. Aerial bundled cables and insulated cables in all areas
9.1 The clearance spaces that must be cleared and maintained in
all directions from a powerline, for all areas and for all
nominal voltages of powerlines constructed with an aerial
bundled cable or that are insulated cables are those set out in
Table 9.3 in the Schedule to this Code being
(a) the clearance spaces near the pole set out in column 1
of Table 9.3; and
(b) the clearance spaces away from the pole for the spans
set out in columns 2, 3 and 4 of Table 9.3.
9.2.1 The requirement for clearance space surrounding an aerial
bundled cable or insulated cable under clause 9.1 does not
apply to small tree branches with a diameter of less than
10 millimetres and leaves if, at least once a year, the
branches and leaves are removed from the clearance space
as required in clause 9.1.
9.2.2 Branches and leaves are not required to be annually
removed in accordance with clause 9.2.1 if the branches and
leaves are not likely to abrade the cable before they are next
removed in accordance with this Code.
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9.3 If the responsible person complies with clause 12, the
requirements of clause 9.1 do not apply to existing tree
branches that exceed 130 millimetres in diameter, if the
branch is more than 300 millimetres from an aerial bundled
cable or insulated cable.
10. Powerlines other than aerial bundled cable or insulated cables
in low bushfire risk areas
In the case of powerlines, other than those constructed with
an aerial bundled cable or that are insulated cables, the
clearance spaces required in low bushfire risk areas are
(a) if the responsible person elects not to comply with
clause 12, the clearance spaces set out in Table 10.1 in
the Schedule to this Code being
(i) the clearance spaces in all directions, except
vertically above the line for 66 000 volt
powerlines where no vegetation is permitted,
near the pole set out in column 1 of Table 10.1;
and
(ii) the clearance spaces in all directions, except
vertically above the line for 66 000 volt power
lines where no vegetation is permitted, away
from the pole for the spans set out in columns 2
and 3 of Table 10.1;
(b) if the responsible person elects to comply with
clause 12 in relation to powerlines of 22 000 volts or
less, the clearance spaces set out in Table 10.2 in the
Schedule to this Code;
(c) if the responsible person elects to comply with
clause 12 for 66 000 volt powerlines, the clearance
spaces set out in Table 10.3 in the Schedule to this
Code.
11. Powerlines other than aerial bundled cable or insulated cables
in hazardous bushfire risk areas
11.1 If the powerlines are not constructed with an aerial bundled
cable and are not insulated cables the clearance spaces
required in hazardous bushfire risk areas are the clearance
spaces in all directions, except vertically above the line, set
out in Table 11.1 in the Schedule to this Code.
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11.2 The requirements of Table 11.1 in the Schedule to this
Code do not apply to tree branches above a powerline of
22 000 volts or less if
(a) the responsible person maintains a minimum
clearance of 3000 millimetres above the powerline to
any overhanging tree branch; and
(b) an annual risk assessment is undertaken by an arborist
who has the qualifications and experience referred to
in clause 12(b); and
(c) the annual risk assessment is completed before
1 November in each year; and
(d) any overhanging branches and the trees supporting the
branches do not exhibit any potentially hazardous
structural defects; and
(e) the responsible person keeps records of the annual
risk assessment on any branches and trees that are
subject to this sub-clause, including details of the
condition and possible hazards in relation to each tree
and branch; and
(f) the records of the annual risk assessment are kept for
a period of no less than 5 years; and
(g) the relevant powerline has mitigation measures in
place that limit the phase to earth fault current or the
fault duration to a level that minimizes the risk of
ignition of vegetation.
12. Additional requirements for tree branches
Clauses 9.3, 10(b) and 10(c) apply in relation to tree
branches if
(a) the responsible person is a distribution company or a
municipal council that is responsible for land in an
area declared under section 81 of the Act; and
(b) the distribution company or municipal council ensures
that an arborist, who has the qualification of National
Certificate Level IV in Horticulture and Arboriculture
including the "Assess Trees" module, or the
equivalent of that certificate, and at least 3 years of
field experience in assessing trees carries out an
annual risk assessment on the tree; and
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(c) the distribution company or municipal council keeps
records of the annual risk assessment, including
details of the condition and possible hazards in
relation to each tree; and
(d) the records of the annual risk assessment are kept for
a period of no less than 5 years.
PART 4TRANSMISSION LINE CLEARANCE

13. Clearance space for specified directions
13.1 The clearance space vertically below a conductor of a
transmission line must be
(a) if the conductor is at maximum sag, the distance
specified in column 1 of Table 13.1 in the Schedule to
this Code;
(b) if the conductor is in its normally observed position,
the distance specified in column 3 of Table 13.1 in the
Schedule to this Code.
13.2 The clearance space horizontally from the outermost
conductor of a transmission line must be
(a) if the conductor is at the limit of sway, the distance
specified in column 2 of Table 13.1 in the Schedule to
this Code;
(b) if the conductor is in its normally observed position,
the distance specified in column 4 of Table 13.1 in the
Schedule to this Code.
13.3 The space above the transmission line must be kept clear of
vegetation at all times.
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SCHEDULE TO CODE OF PRACTICE
TABLE 9.3
Clauses 2.1 and 9.1
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING
A POWERLINEALL AREAS
Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces2
Near pole
Type of
Powerline
Away from pole
All Spans
near the pole
Spans up to
and
including
40 metres
Spans
exceeding 40
up to and
including
70 metres
Spans
exceeding
70 metres
In all directions
Aerial
Bundled
Cable
300 mm
300 mm
600 mm
900 mm
Insulated
Cable
600 mm
600 mm
1000 mm
1000 mm
Note: Table 9.3 is partially illustrated in Figures 9.3 and 9.4.
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Figure 9.3: ALL AREAS
Tables 9.3 and 10.1
PLAN VIEW OF AN OVERHEAD POWERLINE
NEAR THE POLE
CENTRE 2/3 OF SPAN
1/6
1/6
AWAY FROM THE POLE POSITION
SPAN
SPAN
NOT TO SCALE
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Figure 9.4: ALL AREAS3
Table 9.3
NOT TO SCALE
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TABLE 10.1
Clauses 2.1 and 10
A POWERLINELOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Other Than Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces
Near Pole
Type of
Powerline
Away from pole
Section of all
spans near the
pole
Spans up to and
including
40 metres
Spans exceeding
40 metres
Nominal voltage
In all directions
Bare and
Covered Low
Voltage
1000 mm
1000 mm
1500 mm
66 kV, 11 kV
and 22 kV
1500 mm
1500 mm
2000 mm
66 kV
2250 mm
2250 mm
3000 mm
For 66 kVThe space vertically above the powerline must be kept clear of
vegetation.
An additional distance must be added to the clearance space to allow for the
sag and sway of the conductors and for vegetation regrowth during the period
between pruning times.
Note: Table 10.1 is partially illustrated in Figure 9.3 and, except for
66 kV powerlines, in Figure 10.4.
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TABLE 10.2
Clauses 2.1 and 10
A POWERLINELOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREA
Clearance Spaces
Type of
Powerline
Spans up to
and
including
30 metres
Spans
exceeding
30 up to and
including
45 metres
Spans
exceeding
45 up to and
including
70 metres
Spans
exceeding
70 metres
Nominal voltage
In all directions
Bare low
voltage
1000 mm
1000 mm
1500 mm
1500 mm
Bare low
voltage and
additional safety
measures
500 mm
600 mm
800 mm
1500 mm
Bare 66 kV,
11 kV and 22
kV
1000 mm
1500 mm
2000 mm
2000 mm
Covered 66 kV,
11 kV and
22 kV
1000 mm
1250 mm
1500 mm
2000 mm
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TABLE 10.3
Clauses 2.1 and 10
CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A 66 KV POWERLINE
LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREA
Clearance Spaces
Type of
Powerline
Nominal voltage
66 kV
Spans up to
and
including
30 metres
Spans
exceeding
30 up to and
including
45 metres
Spans
exceeding
45 up to and
including
70 metres
Spans
exceeding
70 metres
In all directions except vertically above a 66 kV line

2250 mm
2250 mm
3000 mm
3000 mm
Vertically above a 66 kV line

66 kV
3000 mm
3000 mm
3000 mm
3000 mm
Note: Table 10.3 is partially illustrated in Figure 10.4.
23

Sch.
S.R. No. 74/2005

Figure 10.4: LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Tables 10.1 and 10.3
CLEARANCE SPACE
Free of vegetation
Trees should not be

removed without prior
consultation and agreement
To
minimize pruning
only species
with suitable
growth habits
should be planted
under powerlines
LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS

NOT TO SCALE
24

Sch.
S.R. No. 74/2005

TABLE 11.1
Clauses 11.1 and 11.2
A POWERLINEHAZARDOUS BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Clearance Spaces
1
Spans up to
and
including
30 metres
Type of
Powerline
Nominal
voltage
Section of
all spans
near the
pole
Spans
exceeding
30 up to
and
including
45 metres
Spans
exceeding
45 up to
and
including
70 metres
Spans
exceeding
70 up to
and
including
350 metres
Spans
exceeding
350 metres
In all directions (except vertically above the line)
Bare and
covered
low voltage
1500 mm
1500 mm
2000 mm
2000 mm
2250 mm
66 kV,
11 kV and
22 kV
1500 mm
1500 mm
2000 mm
2000 mm
2250 mm
66 kV
2250 mm
2250 mm
3000 mm
3000 mm
3000 mm
For 66kVThe space vertically above the powerline must be kept clear of
vegetation.
An additional distance must be added to the clearance space to allow for the sag
and sway of the conductors and for vegetation regrowth during the period between
pruning times.
Note: Clause 11.2 provides that the requirements of this table do not apply
to tree branches above a powerline of 22 000 volts or less if the
branches are more than 3000 millimetres above the powerline and the
responsible person complies with the other conditions in clause 11.2.
25

Sch.
S.R. No. 74/2005

Figure 11.1: HAZARDOUS BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Table 11.1
CLEARANCE SPACE
Free of vegetation
Trees should not be
removed without prior
consultation and agreement
Only species
with suitable
growth habits
shall be planted near or
under powerlines or
be allowed to remain
NOT TO SCALE
26

Sch.
S.R. No. 74/2005

TABLE 13.1
Clauses 2.2(b), 13.1 and 13.2
A TRANSMISSION LINE
Minimum clearance space at
the limits of sag and sway of
the conductor
Minimum clearance space

from the normally observed
position of the conductor
Dimension
Vertical
Dimension
Horizontal
Dimension
Vertical
Dimension
Horizontal
66 kV
3000 mm
3000 mm
7000 mm
12 000 mm
220 kV
3700 mm
4600 mm
8000 mm
13 000 mm
275 kV
4200 mm
5000 mm
8000 mm
13 000 mm
330 kV
4700 mm
5500 mm
9000 mm
14 000 mm
500 kV
6400 mm
6400 mm
11 000 mm
15 000 mm
Nominal
Voltage
For all voltagesThe space vertically above the transmission line must be
kept clear of vegetation at all times.
between clearing times if the distance between conductors exceeds 400
metres.
Columns 1 and 2 set out the clearance spaces that must be kept clear of
vegetation under all conditions of sag and sway.
Columns 3 and 4 set out the distances that must be kept clear of vegetation to
maintain the clearance space from the normally observed position of the
conductor
Note: Table 13.1 is partially illustrated in Figures 13.1 and 13.2.
27

Sch.
S.R. No. 74/2005

Figure 13.1: END VIEW OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE
Table 13.1
Figure 13.2: SIDE VIEW OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE

Table 13.1
28

S.R. No. 74/2005
ENDNOTES
1. General Information
The Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005,
S.R. No. 74/2005 were made on 28 June 2005 by the Governor in Council
under sections 89, 151 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998,
No. 25/1998 and came into operation on 30 June 2005: regulation 3.
The Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005 will sunset
on 30 June 2010: regulation 11.
29
Endnotes

Endnotes
S.R. No. 74/2005

2. Table of Amendments
There are no amendments made to the Electricity Safety (Electric Line
Clearance) Regulations 2005 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and
Acts.
30

S.R. No. 74/2005
3. Explanatory Details
1
Reg. 4: S.R. No. 182/2004.
Sch. (Table 9.3): Clause 9.2 provides that small branches and leaves may be
allowed to grow within the dimensions in Table 9.3 for aerial bundled cable
and insulated cable if they are cut annually to create a clearance space in
accordance with the Table. However, branches and leaves are not required to
be annually removed if they are not likely to abrade the cable before they are
next removed in accordance with the Code.
Sch. (Figure 9.4): Clause 9.2 provides that small branches and leaves may
be allowed to grow within the clearance space surrounding an aerial bundled
cable and insulated cable if they are cut annually to create a clearance space
in accordance with Table 9.3. However, branches and leaves are not required
to be annually removed if they are not likely to abrade the cable before they
are next removed in accordance with the Code.
31
Endnotes

Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005

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