Bushfire Mitigation
Trees and vegetation contacting power lines can be a dangerous fire risk, as well as a common cause of electricity supply interruptions.
Each year, Powercor invests millions of dollars in bushfire mitigation and vegetation management programs to help reduce the risk of bushfires and minimise electricity supply interruptions caused by trees touching power lines.
The responsibility for trimming trees near power lines depends on where the trees are located and the power line affected. Generally, customers are responsible for keeping trees on their property a safe distance from the service line attached to your premises and any Private Overhead Electric Lines (POELs) you own.
Depending on their location, trees on public land might be the responsibility of Powercor, your local council or in some cases, Vic Roads.
This section contains information about our own vegetation management practices, and the obligations and safe clearance practices for customers with Private Lines on their property.