Ausgrid and Councils begin trial of tree trimming changes

Ausgrid will today begin a trial of changes which will allow council contractors to safely trim trees close to low voltage powerlines at council’s request.

The three-month trial of council funded vegetation management is being run in conjunction with Ku-ring-gai and Sutherland Shire Councils.

Under the trial external contractors paid for by council will be able to trim branches growing within restricted clearance areas around low voltage powerlines known as the ‘No go zone’.

Previously this type of work could only be done by Ausgrid or our own accredited contractors.

Ausgrid General Manager of Asset Management and Operations Sam Sofi said the change will improve the access for authorised council contractors to manage street trees.

“As part of our stakeholder engagement we were given feedback that we needed to improve our processes in this area and make it easier for councils to coordinate and complete this work.

We have listened and developed a framework for the trial which will allow this work to be carried out safely and more efficiently”, Mr Sofi said.

A contractor selected by the councils has been accredited by the Department of Planning and Environment to allow them to carry out the work and Ausgrid has authorised them to work on our network for the trial.

“By working with councils we’ve been able to improve the outcome for customers and this change will result in cost savings and faster responses for councils to maintain street trees,” Mr Sofi said.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Cr Carmelo Pesce said it’s a step in the right direction.

“Sutherland Shire Council is excited to be part of this trial,” he said.

“Council’s, when required, will now be able to better manage trees that have branches in close proximity to the electrical network.

Ausgrid will today begin a trial of changes which will allow council contractors to safely trim trees close to low voltage powerlines at council’s request.

The three-month trial of council funded vegetation management is being run in conjunction with Ku-ring-gai and Sutherland Shire Councils.

Under the trial external contractors paid for by council will be able to trim branches growing within restricted clearance areas around low voltage powerlines known as the ‘No go zone’.

Previously this type of work could only be done by Ausgrid or our own accredited contractors.

Ausgrid General Manager of Asset Management and Operations Sam Sofi said the change will improve the access for authorised council contractors to manage street trees.

“As part of our stakeholder engagement we were given feedback that we needed to improve our processes in this area and make it easier for councils to coordinate and complete this work.

We have listened and developed a framework for the trial which will allow this work to be carried out safely and more efficiently”, Mr Sofi said.

A contractor selected by the councils has been accredited by the Department of Planning and Environment to allow them to carry out the work and Ausgrid has authorised them to work on our network for the trial.

“By working with councils we’ve been able to improve the outcome for customers and this change will result in cost savings and faster responses for councils to maintain street trees,” Mr Sofi said.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Cr Carmelo Pesce said it’s a step in the right direction.

“Sutherland Shire Council is excited to be part of this trial,” he said.

“Council’s, when required, will now be able to better manage trees that have branches in close proximity to the electrical network.

“I’d like to thank Ausgrid for listening to Councils concerns and for partnering with us to come up with a solution that benefits our community.”

The changes have also been welcomed by Ku-ring-gai Council.

“We are very pleased that a partnership arrangement to help protect Ku-ring-gai’s tree canopy near powerlines is now in effect”, Ku-ring-gai Mayor Jennifer Anderson said.

“The Council has been working very closely with Ausgrid for the past few months to put this arrangement in place and I am hopeful that if the trial is successful, other Councils will follow our lead”, she said.

Due to safety reasons any trimming work near high voltage powerlines will still be done by Ausgrid crews.

Ausgrid will also continue to trim trees as part of our own routine maintenance program.

If the trial is successful Ausgrid will look to expand to other council areas within our network area.