Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001 (ACT)

Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001   

SL2001-28

made under the

Utilities Act 2000

Republication No 6

Effective:  1 January 2024

Republication date: 1 January 2024

Last amendment made by A2023‑52

About this republication

The republished law

This is a republication of the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001, made under the Utilities Act 2000 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 1 January 2024.  It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 1 January 2024. 

The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4.

Kinds of republications

The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at type="disc">

authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies

unauthorised republications.

The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.

This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading.  Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register ( For more information, see the home page for this law on the register.

Modifications

If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading.  The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes.  For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.

Penalties

At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).

Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001

made under the

Utilities Act 2000

Contents

Page

Part 1      Preliminary

1            Name of regulation  2

3            Dictionary  2

4            Notes  2

Part 2      General

5            Application  3

6            Authorisation by utility  3

7           Evidence of authorisation  3

8            Excavations—steps required to protect underground network facilities     4

9            Interfering with network telemetry  4

10          Interfering with network facility signs  5

11          Entering secured areas  5

Part 3      Electricity network facilities

12          Throwing objects at facilities  6

13          Entangled objects  6

14          Explosives and fires  6

15          Underground electricity network facilities  7

16          Excavating  7

17          Changing ground level  8

18          Clearances from aerial lines—people  8

19          Clearances from aerial lines—structures  9

20          Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials                   11

21          Clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials  12

22          Clearances from aerial lines—aircraft  13

23          Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles  14

24          Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels  14

25          Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation  15

26          Measuring clearances from aerial lines  16

27          Placing of materials near substations or switchyards  16

28          Attachments, or climbing, on electricity network facility  17

Part 4      Water and sewerage network facilities

29          Throwing objects at facilities  18

30          Driving etc over underground water or sewerage network facilities        18

31          Underground water or sewerage network facilities  18

32          Excavating  19

33          Changing ground level  19

34          Climbing on water or sewerage network facilities  19

35          Entry to water or sewerage network facilities  19

36          Work on water or sewerage network facilities etc  20

Part 5      Gas network facilities

37          Throwing objects at facilities  21

38          Driving etc over underground gas network facilities  21

39          Underground gas network facilities  21

40          Excavating  22

41          Changing ground level  22

42          Climbing on gas facilities  22

43          Work on gas network facilities etc  22

Dictionary

Endnotes

1            About the endnotes  26

2            Abbreviation key  26

3            Legislation history  27

4            Amendment history  28

5            Earlier republications  29

Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001

made under the

Utilities Act 2000

Part 1Preliminary

1. Name of regulation

   This regulation is the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001.

2. Dictionary

   The dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.

   Note 1The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in this regulation.

   Note 2A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the regulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).

3. Notes

   A note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this regulation.

   NoteSee the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.

Part 2General

1. Application

   (1)This regulation does not apply to a thing done by a person in relation to a network facility in accordance with the written authorisation of the responsible utility.

   (2)This regulation does not apply to a thing done by a person in relation to a network facility in the course of the person’s employment or engagement by the responsible utility.

2. Authorisation by utility

   (1)An application for authorisation mentioned in section 5 may be made to the responsible utility—

   (a)orally or in writing; or

   (b)if acceptable to the utility—by telephone, fax or other electronic means.

   (2)An authorisation is subject to any condition stated in the authorisation.

3. Evidence of authorisation

   In a proceeding for an offence against this regulation, a certificate that appears to be signed by or on behalf of a utility and contains a statement to the effect that—

   (a)a stated thing was done by a stated person in accordance with an authorisation by the utility under section 6; or

   (b)an authorisation by the utility under section 6 was subject to a stated condition at a stated time or date;

   is evidence of the matters stated.

4. Excavations—steps required to protect underground network facilities

   (1)This section applies to an opening in the ground, or a ground cover, that uncovers or exposes an underground network facility, or might reasonably be expected to have that effect.

   (2)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, make such an opening in the ground or ground cover unless the person has taken reasonable steps to—

   (a)find out whether an underground network facility is likely to be affected; and

   (b)avoid damaging the facility or endangering its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (3)Without limiting subsection (2), a person takes reasonable steps for the purpose of that subsection if the person—

   (a)contacts the responsible utility and requests advice about the matters mentioned in subsection (2) (a) and (b); and

   (b)acts in accordance with the written advice of the utility about those matters.

5. Interfering with network telemetry

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, interfere with—

   (a)telemetry used in connection with the operation of a network facility; or

   (b)equipment used, or for use, for such telemetry;

   if the interference is likely to interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In this section:

   interference includes interference attributable directly or indirectly to the emission of electromagnetic energy from a device.

6. Interfering with network facility signs

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, interfere with, change or remove—

   (a)a sign displayed or maintained by or on behalf of a utility at or on a network facility; or

   (b)a seal, lock, chain or any other device used in connection with securing any part of a network facility;

   if the action is likely to endanger people or property.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

7. Entering secured areas

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, enter a secured area maintained by or on behalf of a utility in connection with the provision of a utility service.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In this section:

   secured area means a network facility, and any land or water surrounding the facility, that is enclosed for the purpose of preventing unauthorised access.

Part 3Electricity network facilities

1. Throwing objects at facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise project an object—

   (a)with intent to strike an electricity network facility; or

   (b)if the object is likely to strike an electricity network facility;

   if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

2. Entangled objects

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, touch or interfere with any object resting on, or entangled in, an electricity network facility if the touching or interference is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

3. Explosives and fires

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

   (a)light, use or maintain a fire, or detonate an explosive, in a way that is likely to damage an electricity network facility or interrupt or endanger its safe or efficient operation; or

   (b)do a thing that creates an explosive atmosphere that is likely to endanger the safe or efficient operation of an electricity network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

4. Underground electricity network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above or adjacent to an underground electricity network facility, any corrosive, abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

5. Excavating

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

   (a)cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material supporting or covering an electricity network facility in a way that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation; or

   (b)make an excavation—

   (i)deeper than 0.9m within 15m of a tower supporting an aerial line; or

   (ii)deeper than 0.3m within 1.5m of such a tower; or

   (c)make an excavation deeper than 1.8m within 3m of—

   (i)any pole supporting an aerial line; or

   (ii)any pole, or stay anchorage, to which is attached a staywire used for the support of a pole mentioned in subparagraph (i); or

   (iii)deeper than 0.9m within 1.5m of a pole or anchorage mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii); or

   (d)make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall, fence or foundation of a substation that forms part of an electricity network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

6. Changing ground level

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground level—

   (a)below an aerial line or any point to which the line may swing; or

   (b)above or adjacent to an electricity network facility;

   if that is likely to damage the line or facility, endanger its safe or efficient operation, or impede reasonable access to it for the purposes of its operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

7. Clearances from aerial lines—people

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, be too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

   (a)the holder of an electricians licence under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 that authorises work on the line; or

   (b)a person who is—

   (i)carrying out work associated with the connection of premises to the relevant electricity network or varying the capacity of such a connection; and

   (ii)accredited under the relevant technical code for such work.

   (3)A person is too close to an aerial line if at any time the person, or any part of a thing held by or attached to the person, is within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 18.

Table 18

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
Any direction	0.1m	1.5m	2.0m	4.0m

NoteSymbols used in table 18 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Clearances from aerial lines—structures

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, erect or maintain any part of a structure too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)A part of a structure is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 19.

   (3)The minimum distance stated in table 19, column 3, item 3 does not apply to any part of a structure within that distance from the point at which an insulated aerial service line is attached to the structure by or for the responsible utility.

Table 19

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5	column 6
item	direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
1	vertically, from any part of the structure normally accessible to people	2.7m	3.7m	4.6m	5.0m
2	vertically, from any part of the structure not normally accessible to people but on which a person could stand	1.2m	2.7m	3.7m	4.6m
3	any direction (other than vertically), from any part of the structure not normally accessible to people	0.3m	1.5m	2.7m	3.0m
4	any direction (other than vertically), from any window, opening balcony or other part of the structure normally accessible to people	1.5m	2.0m	2.7m	3.0m
5	any direction (other than vertically), from any window, opening balcony or other part of the structure not normally accessible to people but on which a person could stand	1.5m	2.0m	2.7m	3.0m
6	vertically, from any part of a fully extended clothes line	1.8m	3.7m	4.6m	n/a
7	any direction (other than vertically), from any part of a fully extended clothes line	1.8m	3.0m	3.0m	n/a
8	any direction, from an outdoor wireless or television aerial or any part of a staywire for the aerial	1.5m	1.5m	1.5m	n/a
9	any direction, from the outer edge of the water container of a swimming pool or the maximum water level of the pool	5.0m; or 3.0m (if the line is a neutral screened cable)	5.5m	5.5m	n/a

NoteSymbols used in table 19 are defined in the dictionary.

(4)In this section:

neutral screened cable has the same meaning as in AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), as in force from time to time.

NoteAS/NZS 3000 may be purchased at type="1">

Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials

(1)This section does not apply to a structure to which section 19 applies.

(2)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep timber or other flammable material vertically below an aerial conductor.

Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

(3)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep timber or other flammable material too close to an aerial conductor.

Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

(4)Timber or other flammable material is too close to an aerial conductor if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the conductor worked out in accordance with table 20.

Table 20

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from aerial conductor, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor, where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor, where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
horizontally, from any point of the vertical projection below the aerial conductor or aerial cable	3.0m	3.0m	3.0m

Note Symbols used in table 20 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials

   (1)This section does not apply to a structure to which section 19 applies.

   (2)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep any nonflammable material too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (3)Nonflammable material is too close to an aerial line if, at any time—

   (a)any part of the material is vertically below the line and within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 21, item 1; or

   (b)if the material is not vertically below the line—any part of the material is within—

   (i)the minimum horizontal distance, worked out in accordance with table 21, item 2 from the vertical projection below the line; and

   (ii)the minimum vertical distance, worked out in accordance with table 21, item 1 below the horizontal projection from any part of the line.

Table 21

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5	column 6
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
1	vertical projection below the aerial line	2.7m	3.7m	4.6m	5.0m
2	horizontally, from any point of the vertical projection below the aerial line	1.5m	2.0m	2.7m	3.0m

Note Symbols used in table 21 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Clearances from aerial lines—aircraft

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, launch, release, operate, fly or land any aircraft, glider, hang glider, hot air balloon, parachute, mechanically propelled model aircraft, model glider or kite within 50m of an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

2. Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a vehicle on land if any part of the vehicle is too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In this section:

   vehicle includes any load on the vehicle, but does not include mobile plant to which section 24 applies.

   (3)A part of a vehicle is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 23.

Table 23

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
any direction	0.3m	0.6m	0.9m	2.1m

NoteSymbols used in table 23 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate mobile plant if any part of the plant is too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In subsection (1):

   mobile plant means a crane, elevating work platform, tip truck or similar plant, any equipment fitted with a jib or boom, or any device for raising or lowering a load.

   (3)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a vessel on water if any part of the vessel is too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (4)A part of a mobile plant or vessel is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 24.

Table 24

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
any direction	1.0m	1.0m	3.0m	3.0m

NoteSymbols used in table 24 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation

   (1)A lessee of territory land must not, without reasonable excuse, allow any part of a tree or other vegetation on the land to be too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   NoteUnder the Urban Forest Act 2023, pt 3 it is an offence to damage a protected tree (see that Act, s 16). However, the offences do not apply to an activity approved under the Urban Forest Act 2023, s 28 or s 32 (see that Act, s 18 (1) (c)).

   (2)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, prune or clear a tree or other vegetation if any part of the tree or vegetation is likely to fall too close to an aerial line.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (3)A part of a tree or other vegetation is too close to an aerial line if at any time it is within the minimum distance from any part of the line worked out in accordance with table 25.

Table 25

column 1	column 2	column 3	column 4	column 5
direction in which minimum distance must be observed	minimum distance from insulated aerial cable or insulated aerial service line, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or covered aerial cable, where- U £ 1 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 1 kV < U £ 33 kV	minimum distance from aerial conductor or aerial cable, where- 33 kV < U £ 132 kV
any direction	1.0m	1.5m	2.0m	3.0m

NoteSymbols used in table 25 are defined in the dictionary.

1. Measuring clearances from aerial lines

   For this regulation, the minimum distance from any part of an aerial line is to be measured from the nearest point to which the line sags or swings.

2. Placing of materials near substations or switchyards

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

   (a)place or keep any timber or other flammable material closer than 3m in any direction from a wall or fence of a substation, or switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network; or

   (b)place or keep any material in a way that is likely to—

   (i)impede access to any door, gate or entrance of a substation, or switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network; or

   (ii)interfere with the free flow of air through any opening or fitting used for ventilation in the walls of a substation, or switchyard, that forms part of an electricity network.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

3. Attachments, or climbing, on electricity network facility

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, attach a thing to an electricity network facility if it is likely to interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb an electricity network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

Part 4Water and sewerage network facilities

1. Throwing objects at facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise project an object—

   (a)with intent to strike a water or sewerage network facility; or

   (b)if the object is likely to strike a water or sewerage network facility;

   if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

2. Driving etc over underground water or sewerage network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, drive a vehicle, or operate plant, machinery or equipment, over an underground water or sewerage network facility if it is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

3. Underground water or sewerage network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above or adjacent to an underground water or sewerage network facility, any corrosive, abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

4. Excavating

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

   (a)cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material supporting or covering a water or sewerage network facility in a way that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation; or

   (b)make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall, fence or foundation of a structure that forms part of a water or sewerage network.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

5. Changing ground level

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground level above or adjacent to a water or sewerage network facility if that is likely to damage the facility, endanger its safe or efficient operation, or impede reasonable access to it for the purposes of its operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

6. Climbing on water or sewerage network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb a water or sewerage network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

7. Entry to water or sewerage network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, enter a water or sewerage network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

8. Work on water or sewerage network facilities etc

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, work on—

   (a)a water or sewerage network facility; or

   (b)a pipe that communicates with such a facility;

   in a way that is likely to endanger people or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In this section:

   work includes installation and removal.

Part 5Gas network facilities

1. Throwing objects at facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, throw or otherwise project an object—

   (a)with intent to strike a gas network facility; or

   (b)if the object is likely to strike a gas network facility;

   if the striking is likely to endanger any person or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

2. Driving etc over underground gas network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, drive a vehicle, or operate plant, machinery or equipment, over an underground gas network facility if it is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

3. Underground gas network facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, place or keep, above or adjacent to an underground gas network facility, any corrosive, abrasive, heavy or harmful material or substance that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

4. Excavating

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse—

   (a)cut away, excavate or remove any earth or material near, supporting or covering a gas network facility in a way that is likely to damage the facility or endanger its safe or efficient operation; or

   (b)make an excavation deeper than 0.3m within 0.6m of any wall, fence or foundation of a structure that forms part of a gas network.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

5. Changing ground level

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, change the ground level above or adjacent to a gas network facility if that is likely to damage the facility, endanger its safe or efficient operation, or impede reasonable access to it for the purposes of its operation.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

6. Climbing on gas facilities

   A person must not, without reasonable excuse, climb a gas network facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

7. Work on gas network facilities etc

   (1)A person must not, without reasonable excuse, work on—

   (a)a gas network facility; or

   (b)a pipe or equipment directly connected to, but not part of, such a facility;

   in a way that is likely to endanger people or property or interrupt or endanger the safe or efficient operation of the facility.

   Maximum penalty:  10 penalty units.

   (2)In this section:

   work includes installation or removal.

Dictionary

(see s 3)

Note 1The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this regulation.

Note 2For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:

·     AS/NZS (see s 164)

·     penalty unit (s 133)

·     territory land.

Note 3Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in the Utilities Act 2000 (see Legislation Act, s 148.) For example, the following terms are defined in the Utilities Act 2000, dict:

·     network facility

·     utility.

aerial cable means any insulated or covered conductor or assembly of cores (with or without protective covering) that is above ground or water, suspended in the open air between 2 or more supports and forms part of an electricity network.

aerial conductor means any bare conductor that is above ground or water, suspended in the open air between 2 or more supports and forms part of an electricity network.

aerial line means an aerial cable, aerial conductor or aerial service line.

aerial service line means the final span or section of a low voltage aerial conductor of an upstream network that is connected to a point of supply.

conductor means a finished circular stranded assembly consisting of 3 or more metallic wires laid up together that has the specific function of carrying electrical current.

covered conductor means a conductor around which is applied a specified thickness of insulating material.

electricity network facility means any part of the infrastructure of an electricity network.

gas network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a gas network.

insulated, for a thing, means the thing is surrounded by a nonconducting substance that provides resistance to—

(a)the passage of current; or

(b)disruptive discharges through or over the surface of the thing at the operating voltage; or

(c)the injurious leakage of current.

sewerage network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a sewerage network.

structure means a thing constructed by people and attached to land, or buried within land.

U, for an aerial line, means its nominal voltage.

switchgear means the equipment for controlling the distribution of electrical energy or for controlling or protecting circuits, machines, transformers or other equipment.

water network facility means any part of the infrastructure of a water network.

< means less than.

£ means less than or equal to.

Endnotes

1. About the endnotes

   Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history.  Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.

   Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.

   Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law.  The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history.  Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.

   If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering. 

   The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.

2. Abbreviation key

A = Act	NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form	o = order
am = amended	om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment	ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution	orig = original
ch = chapter	par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice	pres = present
def = definition	prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument	(prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary	pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative	r = rule/subrule
Assembly	reloc = relocated
div = division	renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired	R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette	RI = reissue
hdg = heading	s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967	sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added	sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001	SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register	sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996	underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification	or to be expired

1. Legislation history

   This regulation was originally the Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulations 2001.  It was renamed under the Legislation Act.

   Utility Networks (Public Safety) Regulation 2001 SL2001‑28

   notified 23 August 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 34)
   s 1, s 2 commenced 23 August 2001 (IA s 10B)

   remainder commenced 11 September 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001 No S69)

   as amended by

   Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002‑30 pt 3.89

   notified LR 16 September 2002
   s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))

   pt 3.89 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))

   Construction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004‑13 sch 2 pt 2.26

   notified LR 26 March 2004
   s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))

   
   

   sch 2 pt 2.26 commenced 1 September 2004 (s 2 and see Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 A2004-12, s 2 and CN2004-8)

   Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 A2013-19 sch 3 pt 3.49

   notified LR 24 May 2013
   s 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2013 (LA s 75 (1))

   sch 3 pt 3.49 commenced 14 June 2013 (s 2)

   Urban Forest (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023 A2023-52 sch 1 pt 1.14

   notified LR 11 December 2023
   s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
   sch 1 pt 1.14 commenced 1 January 2024 (s 2 and see Urban Forest Act 2023 A2023-14, s 2)

2. Amendment history

   Name of regulation

   s 1am R4 LA

   Commencement

   s 2om LA s 89 (4)

   Clearances from aerial lines—people

   s 18am A2004‑13 amdt 2.91; table renum R3 LA

   Clearances from aerial lines—structures

   s 19table renum R3 LA

   am A2013‑19 amdt 3.475

   Clearances from aerial conductors—flammable materials

   s 20table renum R3 LA

   clearances from aerial lines—nonflammable materials

   s 21table renum R3 LA

   Clearances from aerial lines—vehicles

   s 23table renum R3 LA

   Clearances from aerial lines—mobile plant, vessels

   s 24table renum R3 LA

   Clearances from aerial lines—vegetation

   s 25table renum R3 LA

   am A2023-52 amdt 1.116

   Dictionary

   dictam A2002‑30 amdt 3.977; A2013‑19 amdt 3.476

1. Earlier republications

   Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order. 

   Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register.  A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1.  Except for the footer, electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.

Republication No	Amendments to	Republication date
1	not amended	11 September 2001
2	A2002‑30	3 October 2002
3	A2004‑13	1 September 2004
4	A2004‑13	2 November 2004
5	A2013‑19	14 June 2013