Electricity easements

An electricity easement provides 'right of way' for Ausgrid to access, maintain and repair powerlines and substations on private property. While ownership of the land remains with the property, certain restrictions may apply to how the land can be used. Easements also exist for telephone lines, water and sewage mains and natural gas supply lines. 

Your responsibilities regarding electricity easements

You must provide a continuous, unobstructed area of 4.5 metres wide along the full length of the easement to allow Ausgrid staff access to powerlines, transformers and other equipment at all times.

There should be no obstructions in the easement within 5 metres of a power line, transformer, pole, equipment or support wire, or within 10 metres of a steel power line structure.

How can easements be used?

The following lists does not attempt to cover all the regulations concerning the use of easements.

General Use and Maintenance

• Trees and shrubs can be planted clear of vehicle access (max 4m) - check the suitable trees list
• Cars and trucks can be parked with a maximum height of 4m
• Operating mobile plant equipment higher than 4m when fully extended may be allowed, depending on the space between the extended equipment and power lines.
• Clothes hoists and barbecues can be erected clear of vehicle access ways. Metal parts MUST be earthed and items must be no higher than 2.5m
• Burning off or lighting fires may be allowed for very small fires away from the wires, but a permit must be obtained first.
• Mobile plant and equipment such as cranes, cherry pickers and tractors to a maximum height of 4m
• Storage of non-flammable materials to a maximum height of 3m
• Carry out normal farming, grazing and other agricultural activities (take care when ploughing or operating mobile machinery near powerlines)

Building and excavating

• Building fences to a maximum of 2.5m is normally allowed, depending on how the fence affects access to the power lines, and on the need for earthing
• Building garages or sheds and unroofed verandas and pergolas attached to homes is allowed only in very limited circumstances
• The installation of irrigation equipment is normally allowed, if strict safety rules are met
• Developing residential or industrial subdivisions is normally allowed, provided access is still available to powerlines and equipment. However, allowable encroachments are very restricted
• Road building is normally allowed depending on power line clearances and the security of the electricity equipment
• Excavating, filling and altering contours is sometimes allowed, but only under the strict supervision of Ausgrid
• Using explosives may be allowed, as long as safety rules are met
• Installing utility services such as low voltage electricity, telephone or water (overhead, underground or on the surface), is normally allowed, depending on clearances to powerlines and supporting structures

Recreation

• Public sporting and recreational facilities are normally allowed, subject to certain restrictions
• Tennis courts are rarely allowed
• Unsecured play structures such as trampolines, elevated cubby houses, swing sets and basket ball hoops should be placed a safe distance from powerlines. Find our more in safety at home.

What can't be done on an easement?

• Build houses, sheds, garages or other large structures
• Above-ground and in-ground swimming pools are rarely allowed. Find out more.
• Install fixed plant or equipment
• Store liquids such as petrol, diesel fuel or any flammable material
• Store explosives
• Store garbage or fallen timber
• Plant or cultivate trees or shrubs which grow taller than 4 metres or obstruct access to equipment, poles or steel power line structures -  check the Suitable Trees List in Ausgrid's Tree Trimming Guidelines
• Put obstructions within 5 metres of any power pole, equipment or support wire or within 10 metres of a steel structure
• Fly drones, model aircraft or kites
• Drive fence posts or stakes in easements where there is underground cabling