Under power line tree maintenance plan released

Published on 26 July 2016

Mildura Rural City Council has released the 2016-2017 Electric Line Clearance Maintenance Plan detailing how trees and shrubs under power lines will be managed for the next twelve months. 

The program, which is governed by the Victorian State Government’s Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2015, sets out the legislation, timelines and priorities for Council contractors pruning under overhead power lines in our municipality.

Environmental Sustainability portfolio Councillor Judi Harris said the safety maintenance works are very important and required by law to be completed, but community satisfaction with the work is also something Council takes into consideration.

“Safety is first and foremost the main objective of this program however we understand residents’ desires to see their street amenity kept at a high standard,” Cr Harris said.  “We employ trained arborists to do the work and while all effort is made to ensure the trees are left still looking good, the minimum standards must be met in terms of clearance from the power lines.

“When the pruning first takes place, it’s common for people to be disappointed with the changed face of the streetscape.  But normally within a few months, the trees are starting to reshoot and begin to regain their shape.”

In recent times, Council has moved away from planting under power lines where possible or have planted smaller shrubs.

Notification of the start date for the works will be made through Council’s normal public notice process with the 2016/2017 works traditionally beginning in November each year.

The Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2016-17 is available online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Publications/Council-Plans-Strategies

ENDS

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Angela Umback
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