❓ Hon Giz Watson asks about Western Power's support for local governments in retaining trees near power lines. The Minister details collaborative programs, alternative infrastructure options like covered conductors and undergrounding, and public information resources.
AnsweredQoN 5378Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding trees that may interfere with power transmission, I ask will the Minister please provide full details regarding what Western Power can do to assist local governments to retain such trees (for example installation of covered conductor, undergrounding a power line)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
56 days
Western Power works collaboratively with local governments to facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes relating to the duty of land occupiers to manage vegetation near power lines in accordance with Section 54 (1) of the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979, which states:
It shall be the duty of the occupier of any land on or over which vegetation is growing to fell or lop, or to remove or otherwise deal with, in such manner as is reasonable in the circumstances, so much of any vegetation as is necessary to prevent it interfering with or obstructing, or becoming likely to interfere with or obstruct, the construction, maintenance or safe use of any supply system.
Western Power recognises the need of local government authorities (LGAs) to balance competing priorities in fulfilling this duty. To this end, Western Power is committed to working with LGAs to retain trees in proximity to power lines.
Where appropriate, Western Power considers options that fall broadly into two categories:
1.
Vegetation Management Activities and Programs
Western Power/Local Government Vegetation Working Group
Western Power participates in a vegetation working group with the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and LGAs to build strong relationships and facilitate vegetation solutions including:
· Pruning standards (for public safety);
· Safe work practices; and
· Tree amenity activities (target pruning, minimum clearances, tree ownership/responsibility and visual amenity).
Tree Replacement
Western Power recently collaborated with the Shire of Kalamunda (and affected residents) to remove trees that impact power lines and replace them with suitable tree species known to have limited growth characteristics.
This program aligns with Western Power's vegetation management strategies and is available to other LGAs and the wider community.
Register of Significant Trees
Western Power works with LGAs to protect significant trees in proximity to power lines through Vegetation Control Agreements. These agreements allow LGAs to identify, manage and maintain trees of significance in their community where they would otherwise be removed or significantly pruned in accordance with vegetation management obligations.
2.
Alternative Infrastructure
In the design and construction of its infrastructure, Western Power considers vegetation management, cost and public safety and bushfire risks and engages LGAs to ensure designs and solutions are appropriate to their needs.
Covered Conductors
The use of low-voltage-aerial-bundled cables allows
trees to grow closer to power lines and can reduce the number of trees that would otherwise be pruned or removed on the low-voltage network.
Western Power recently trialled a high-voltage covered conductor solution (Hendrix) in areas where vegetation management or undergrounding was not feasible. The trial commenced in 2010 and results are currently being reviewed to determine the suitability of the solution and in what areas it would be of most benefit.
Covered conductors result in fewer trees being removed or pruned.
Undergrounding Power Lines
Undergrounding power lines reduces street-tree pruning requirements allowing trees to grow to their natural height.
Western Power installs underground power lines where it is appropriate to the environment and the nature of supply. Considerations for undergrounding include safety, reliability, in-situ vegetation, ground condition and cost.
Undergrounding of power lines also occurs through the State Underground Power Program.
Supplementary Information
Tree and Power Line Safety Brochure
Western Power produces a consumer Tree and Power Line Safety brochure that summarises the core requirement (to keep trees and power lines apart), safe distances and owner responsibilities. This brochure can be viewed online at
www.westernpower.com.au
Planting Guide
A Planting Guide is published on Western Power's website
www.westernpower.com.au
giving guidance on good planting practices near power lines and recommending 'power line friendly' plant species including Western Australian and Australian natives and exotic plants. The planting guide assists LGAs and the community by enabling them to make wise planting (in proximity to power lines) decisions that will limit future maintenance requirements.
Guidelines for the Management of Vegetation near Power Lines
Energy
Safety
has published guidelines that clearly communicate the responsibilities and obligations of Western Power, LGAs, land owners/occupiers and state government agencies. The document is available via the following link:
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety/PDF/Publications/Guidelines_Managemen.pdf
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
It shall be the duty of the occupier of any land on or over which vegetation is growing to fell or lop, or to remove or otherwise deal with, in such manner as is reasonable in the circumstances, so much of any vegetation as is necessary to prevent it interfering with or obstructing, or becoming likely to interfere with or obstruct, the construction, maintenance or safe use of any supply system.
Western Power recognises the need of local government authorities (LGAs) to balance competing priorities in fulfilling this duty. To this end, Western Power is committed to working with LGAs to retain trees in proximity to power lines.
Where appropriate, Western Power considers options that fall broadly into two categories:
1.
Vegetation Management Activities and Programs
Western Power/Local Government Vegetation Working Group
Western Power participates in a vegetation working group with the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and LGAs to build strong relationships and facilitate vegetation solutions including:
· Pruning standards (for public safety);
· Safe work practices; and
· Tree amenity activities (target pruning, minimum clearances, tree ownership/responsibility and visual amenity).
Tree Replacement
Western Power recently collaborated with the Shire of Kalamunda (and affected residents) to remove trees that impact power lines and replace them with suitable tree species known to have limited growth characteristics.
This program aligns with Western Power's vegetation management strategies and is available to other LGAs and the wider community.
Register of Significant Trees
Western Power works with LGAs to protect significant trees in proximity to power lines through Vegetation Control Agreements. These agreements allow LGAs to identify, manage and maintain trees of significance in their community where they would otherwise be removed or significantly pruned in accordance with vegetation management obligations.
2.
Alternative Infrastructure
In the design and construction of its infrastructure, Western Power considers vegetation management, cost and public safety and bushfire risks and engages LGAs to ensure designs and solutions are appropriate to their needs.
Covered Conductors
The use of low-voltage-aerial-bundled cables allows
trees to grow closer to power lines and can reduce the number of trees that would otherwise be pruned or removed on the low-voltage network.
Western Power recently trialled a high-voltage covered conductor solution (Hendrix) in areas where vegetation management or undergrounding was not feasible. The trial commenced in 2010 and results are currently being reviewed to determine the suitability of the solution and in what areas it would be of most benefit.
Covered conductors result in fewer trees being removed or pruned.
Undergrounding Power Lines
Undergrounding power lines reduces street-tree pruning requirements allowing trees to grow to their natural height.
Western Power installs underground power lines where it is appropriate to the environment and the nature of supply. Considerations for undergrounding include safety, reliability, in-situ vegetation, ground condition and cost.
Undergrounding of power lines also occurs through the State Underground Power Program.
Supplementary Information
Tree and Power Line Safety Brochure
Western Power produces a consumer Tree and Power Line Safety brochure that summarises the core requirement (to keep trees and power lines apart), safe distances and owner responsibilities. This brochure can be viewed online at
www.westernpower.com.au
Planting Guide
A Planting Guide is published on Western Power's website
www.westernpower.com.au
giving guidance on good planting practices near power lines and recommending 'power line friendly' plant species including Western Australian and Australian natives and exotic plants. The planting guide assists LGAs and the community by enabling them to make wise planting (in proximity to power lines) decisions that will limit future maintenance requirements.
Guidelines for the Management of Vegetation near Power Lines
Energy
Safety
has published guidelines that clearly communicate the responsibilities and obligations of Western Power, LGAs, land owners/occupiers and state government agencies. The document is available via the following link:
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety/PDF/Publications/Guidelines_Managemen.pdf
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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