Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005 (Vic)
Version No. 002
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005
S.R. No. 74/2005
Version as at 7 March 2008
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation Page
1Objectives
2Authorising provisions
3Commencement
4Revocation
5Definitions
6Prescribed voltage
7Prescribed Code of Practice
8Prescribed penalty provisions
9Management plans
10Exemptions
11Expiry
__________________
SCHEDULE—Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
INTERPRETATION
1Definitions
PART 2—CLEARANCE SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ELECTRIC LINES
2Clearance space for electric lines
3Notice requirements
4Consultation requirements
URGENT PRUNING OR CLEARING
5Exemptions from notice and consultation requirements—urgent pruning or clearing
6Requirements for urgent pruning or clearing
ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION BY SPECIFIC BODIES
7Additional duties of local councils, the Roads Corporation and others
8Management procedures to minimise danger
PART 3—POWERLINE CLEARANCE
9Aerial bundled cables and insulated cables in all areas
10Powerlines other than aerial bundled cable or insulated cables
in low bushfire risk areas11Powerlines other than aerial bundled cable or insulated cables
in hazardous bushfire risk areas12Additional requirements for tree branches
PART 4—TRANSMISSION LINE CLEARANCE
13Clearance space for specified directions
Schedule to Code of Practice
Table 9.3—Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a
Powerline—All AreasTable 10.1—Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a
Powerline—Low Bushfire Risk AreasTable 10.2—Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a
Powerline—Low Bushfire Risk AreaTable 10.3—Clearance Spaces Surrounding a 66 kV Powerline—
Low Bushfire Risk AreaTable 11.1—Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a Powerline—Hazardous Bushfire Risk Areas
Table 13.1—Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a
Transmission Line
═══════════════
ENDNOTES
1. General Information
2. Table of Amendments
3. Explanatory Details
Version No. 002
Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2005
S.R. No. 74/2005
Version as at 7 March 2008
1Objectives
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.
2Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 89, 151 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
3Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on 30 June 2005.
4Revocation
The Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) (Interim) Regulations 2004[1] are revoked.
5Definitions
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.
6Prescribed 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.
7Prescribed 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.
8Prescribed 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.
9Management 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.
(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 subregulation (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
(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;
(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 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 public; and
(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.
10Exemptions
The Office may exempt a responsible person from any of the requirements of these Regulations subject to any conditions specified by the Office.
11Expiry
These Regulations cease to have any force or effect on 30 June 2010.
__________________
SCHEDULE
Regulations 5, 7
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ELECTRIC LINE CLEARANCE
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
INTERPRETATION
1Definitions
1.1In 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;
awayin 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 line insulated by a medium other than an air space;
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 voltagemeans a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts alternating current or 1500 volts direct current;
nearin 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;
powerlinemeans 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.
1.2In this Code, all words and expressions have the same meaning as in the Act.
1.3The 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.
PART 2—CLEARANCE SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ELECTRIC LINES
2Clearance space for electric lines
2.1A 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.
2.2A 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.
3Notice 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.
4Consultation requirements
4.1A 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;
(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.
4.2A 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.
4.3A 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
5Exemptions 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.
6Requirements for urgent pruning or clearing
6.1A 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).
6.2A 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.
6.3The 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.
6.4The information recorded under clause 6.3 must be kept for a period of at least 2 years.
ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION BY SPECIFIC BODIES
7Additional 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.
8Management procedures to minimise danger
8.1A 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.
8.2A 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 3—POWERLINE CLEARANCE
9Aerial bundled cables and insulated cables in all areas
9.1The 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.
9.2.1The 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.
9.2.2Branches 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.
9.3If 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.
10Powerlines 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.
11Powerlines other than aerial bundled cable or insulated cables in hazardous bushfire risk areas
11.1If 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.
11.2The 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 subclause, 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.
12Additional 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
(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 4—TRANSMISSION LINE CLEARANCE
13Clearance space for specified directions
13.1The 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.
13.2The 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.
13.3The space above the transmission line must be kept clear of vegetation at all times.
__________________
SCHEDULE TO CODE OF PRACTICE
TABLE 9.3
Clauses 2.1 and 9.1
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A POWERLINE—ALL AREAS
Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces[2] Near pole Away from pole 1 2 3 4 Type of Powerline 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.
FIGURE 9.3: ALL AREAS
Tables 9.3 and 10.1
PLAN VIEW OF AN OVERHEAD POWERLINENOT TO SCALE
Figure 9.4: ALL AREAS[3]
Table 9.3
NOT TO SCALE
TABLE 10.1
Clauses 2.1 and 10
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A POWERLINE—LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Other Than Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces Near Pole Away from pole 1 2 3 Type of Powerline 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 6×6 kV, 11 kV and 22 kV 1500 mm 1500 mm 2000 mm 66 kV 2250 mm 2250 mm 3000 mm For 66 kV—The 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.
TABLE 10.2
Clauses 2.1 and 10
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A POWERLINE—LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREA
Other Than Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces 1 2 3 4 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 6×6 kV, 11 kV and 22 kV 1000 mm 1500 mm 2000 mm 2000 mm Covered 6×6 kV, 11 kV and 22 kV 1000 mm 1250 mm 1500 mm 2000 mm 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. TABLE 10.3
Clauses 2.1 and 10
CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A 66 KV POWERLINE—LOW BUSHFIRE RISK AREA
Clearance Spaces 1 2 3 4 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 except vertically above a 66 kV line 66 kV 2250 mm 2250 mm 3000 mm 3000 mm Vertically above a 66 kV line 66 kV 3000 mm 3000 mm 3000 mm 3000 mm 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 10.3 is partially illustrated in Figure 10.4.
Figure 10.4: Low Bushfire Risk Areas
Tables 10.1 and 10.3
NOT TO SCALE
TABLE 11.1
Clauses 11.1 and 11.2
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING A POWERLINE—HAZARDOUS BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS
Other Than Aerial Bundled Cable or Insulated Cable
Clearance Spaces 1 2 3 4 5 Type of Powerline Spans up to and including 30 metres
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 Nominal voltage In all directions (except vertically above the line) Bare and covered low voltage 1500 mm 1500 mm 2000 mm 2000 mm 2250 mm 6×6 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 66kV—The 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.
Figure 11.1: Hazardous Bushfire Risk Areas
Table 11.1
NOT TO SCALE
TABLE 13.1
Clauses 2.2(b), 13.1 and 13.2
MINIMUM CLEARANCE SPACES SURROUNDING 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 1 2 3 4 Nominal Voltage Dimension
VerticalDimension
HorizontalDimension
VerticalDimension
Horizontal66 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 For all voltages—The space vertically above the transmission line must be kept clear of vegetation at all times.
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 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.
Figure 13.1: END VIEW OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE
Table 13.1
Figure 13.2: SIDE VIEW OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE
Table 13.1
═══════════════
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.
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.
3. Explanatory Details
[1] Reg. 4: S.R. No. 182/2004.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
0
0
0