Tree removal near powerlines: who's responsible?

The network line vs your service line

Australia's power poles carry two very different kinds of wire, and the difference decides who pays:

• The network (distribution) powerlines: the mains running pole to pole along the street and across public land. Your electricity distributor is responsible for keeping these clear of vegetation and generally trims them at no charge to you.
• Your private service line: the wire that branches off the street and connects to your house (the “point of attachment”). Keeping vegetation clear of the service line, and managing trees on your own property near it, is generally the property owner's responsibility and cost.

Trees growing on public land (nature strips, parks, road reserves) are typically the responsibility of the distributor or the local council, not you.

Clearance zones: how close is too close

Distributors set minimum clearance distances that vegetation must be kept away from powerlines. These aren't a single national number. They depend on the voltage of the line, the tree species and growth rate, the location, and the bushfire risk of the area, and can range from roughly half a metre to six metres or more. Because the figures vary so widely, don't guess: check the vegetation-clearance guidance your distributor publishes for your area, or ask them to inspect.

Why you must never DIY near powerlines

This is not an ordinary pruning job. In Australia, work within about three metres of live overhead powerlines must only be carried out by workers accredited for work near overhead power lines. The danger isn't only touching a wire: high-voltage electricity can arc across an air gap to a branch, a metal ladder, a pole pruner or a person. Every year Australians are seriously injured or killed trimming trees near lines. If a tree is anywhere near powerlines:

• Don't climb it, and don't use ladders, poles or long-handled tools near the lines.
• Contact your distributor first. They may trim the network side or advise you.
• For work on your side, engage an arborist accredited for powerline-adjacent work. A general gardener is not qualified for this.

Who to contact by state

Your distributor is the network that owns the poles and wires in your street (this is separate from the retailer you pay your bill to). The main distributors are:

• NSW: Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy or Essential Energy, depending on your region.
• VIC: Powercor, CitiPower, United Energy, AusNet Services or Jemena.
• QLD: Energex (south-east) or Ergon Energy (regional).
• SA: SA Power Networks.
• WA: Western Power (south-west grid) or Horizon Power (regional).
• TAS: TasNetworks.
• ACT: Evoenergy.
• NT: Power and Water Corporation.

Not sure who yours is? It's printed on your electricity bill, or search your distributor by postcode online. For a tree emergency, use their 24-hour faults line.

Don't forget the council rules

Even a tree near powerlines can be protected by your council's tree rules, so removing it (rather than just clearing it from the line) may still need approval, though most councils have exemptions for genuine safety and for work required by the electricity network. Check the likely rules for your address with our permit checker, and see our guide to dead and dangerous tree exemptions for how safety exemptions work.