06 Dec 2024
With the start of summer, bushfire and storm season well underway - Canberrans are encouraged to ensure their homes and yards are ready.
The community are encouraged to take proactive steps to inspect vegetation on private property and clear trees or plants that are too close to network infrastructure.
Both Evoenergy and private landholders are bound by ACT legislative requirements such as the Utilities Technical Regulation act (2014) and associated codes.
Group Manager Network Services, Tim Juhasz wishes to remind the community that under this legislation it is the responsibility of private landholders to maintain safe clearances from powerlines for any vegetation on their privately owned land.
“Trees and vegetation must be kept at least 1 metre from service lines and 1.5 metres from powerlines. In rural areas, or high bushfire-risk areas, this can increase to at least 2 metres,” said Tim.
“If you are unsure if your trees are too close, you can contact Evoenergy on 13 23 86. We can recommend an Evoenergy accredited arborist, who is qualified to trim trees safely – hiring general contractors or non-accredited workers puts the community and network at risk”.
“During extreme weather events, power outages do occur so having an emergency kit prepared with a torch, batteries and first aid supplies is imperative during the summer months. Should you see damaged, or low hanging powerlines stay at least 10 meters away and report them to our faults and emergency contact centre on 13 10 93.”
More resources are available below: