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ENERGEX Trees and Powerlines
keeping you safe
Here at ENERGEX, we believe that trees are an important part of our community and the environment. Trees and other vegetation make our homes pleasant places to be. They also provide much needed shade and are a home to wildlife.
However, there are hidden dangers. Powerlines can be hidden from sight by leaves and branches, making it dangerous to work around your home. Children climbing trees growing near powerlines and poles can also present life-threatening situations.
ENERGEX’s Trees and Powerlines Program works to maintain trees and vegetation for a safe community and to deliver a safe and reliable electricity supply to your home.
our tree trimming program
ENERGEX spends more than $60 million each year to maintain trees and other vegetation around powerlines.
Our tree trimming program occurs over a two and a half year cycle. Each month, our quality assured contractors maintain vegetation along about 800 kilometres of powerlines – that's more than the distance from Brisbane to Rockhampton.
how you can assist
The ENERGEX Safetree Program is about safe planting under and around powerlines. You can choose from more than 100 species that won’t grow too high under powerlines. You can download the ENERGEX Planting Guide and find out more about participating garden centres by clicking here.
Before planting make sure to call Dial Before You Dig on 1100 to avoid contact with underground services.
ENERGEX contractors
Our contractors operate throughout the year, maintaining trees and other vegetation in suburbs serviced by the ENERGEX electricity network.
ENERGEX contractors will notify you when work is to occur in your area by delivering a postcard to your letterbox. Following their assessment, you will be notified of any trees requiring pruning or removal.
Should a tree require removal inside your property, our contractors will seek your approval before removal.
ENERGEX has a responsibility to maintain clearance zones around powerlines according to the Electrical Safety Act (2002).
who is responsible for the powerlines?
ENERGEX maintains powerlines to the first point of contact on your property – that is, to the house or building or first property pole. All lines beyond the first property pole belong to the property owner and tree clearance on those lines is the owner’s responsibility.
ENERGEX recommends hiring a certified operator for tree trimming work around privately owned powerlines.
how will the trees be trimmed?
Our tree trimming contractors use nationally approved pruning techniques* to maintain a tree’s health while encouraging growth to continue in a safer direction.
It is important to note, trees are not “shaped”. Shaping places stress on the trees and can result in weak limbs and branches. Instead, we remove foliage to provide a safe clearance around the powerlines.
*Australian Standard AS 4373 ‘Pruning of Amenity Tree’
how much clearance is required?
Clearance distances vary according to the type and rate of growth of the species. Clearance also varies according to the design of the electrical network. The diagram below outlines clearance zones.
The clearance zone: the space surrounding powerlines that must be clear at all times.
The regrowth zone: the space that must be maintained so that the regrowth does not enter the clearance zone during the year.
The risk management zone: the space in which unsound trees or limbs may pose a risk because of structural defects.
why do some trees need to be removed?
In some cases, it is necessary to remove a tree. Tree trimming may not address the problem or the tree is not suitable for growing under or near powerlines.
A tree may need to be removed because:
- A palm, planted directly under or close to the side of powerlines, is not able to be pruned.
- The tree is a tall growing species that is unsuitable under powerlines.
- The tree can not be maintained away from the clearance zone and still comply with Australian standards.
- The tree is of a species that grows too quickly into the powerlines.
ENERGEX works with your local council for tree removal on council property.
how to contact ENERGEX
| General inquiries – 8.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday | 13 12 53 |
| Loss of power supply, or electricity supply problems | 13 62 62 |
| Reporting a dangerous situation, such as wires down | 13 19 62 |
| By mail: | ENERGEX Limited |
provide your feedback
if you wish to lodge a complaint or provide your feedback on how we can improve our service, please let us know.