Trees and powerlines don't mix. If you have questions about the Trim Notice you've received, or trees on your property and our power lines, check out the info below.
Frequently asked questions
Aurora Energy is responsible for the electricity distribution network. In relation to the Tree Regulations, service lines are your responsibility. Service lines are the lines that connect your property to our network lines to supply electricity to your home. If trees are growing through your service line, you can organise an arborist to perform maintenance. If you wish to perform maintenance yourself, please contact us to arrange a temporary disconnection.
Under the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 (the Regulations) we, as the lines distributor, must:
- inform you if any tree is growing into the Growth Limit Zone
- complete the first cut or trim at our own cost
- comply with our other obligations under the Regulations
Trimming and felling trees around power lines is very dangerous and could result in serious injury from electric shock or electrocution. For this reason, by law, only qualified and approved utility arborists are allowed to trim trees when they are within 4 metres of a power line.
If all parts of the tree are more than 4 metres away from overhead lines, you can safely trim the tree yourself or hire an arborist to do this for you. All care must be taken to prevent any part of the tree coming into contact with any power lines.
If any part of the tree is within 4 metres of the line or you have received a Tree Trim Notice from us, you'll need a professional arborist authorised to work near power lines for your safety and the safety of others. Delta and Asplundh are our arboriculture Approved Contractors.
If you've received a Trim Notice from us and there is no record of a previous trim, then the first trim is on us. This does not apply to:
- Private service lines (usually the power line connecting your house to the street)
- Shelter belts or plantation forests
The Regulations do have potential offences and fines you might face from the Government (not us). While it is uncommon, if you do not comply with a Trim Notice within the time specified, then you could be:
- fined up to $10,000 plus $500 for every day the offence continues
- held liable for costs of repairs if our lines or equipment are damaged by your tree
- held liable for damage caused by broken power lines
- held liable for damage caused by any resulting power surges affecting others
We’re not here to punish you for not responding. We’ll contact you before anything further happens.
The main consequence if you don’t cooperate is that we may have to complete a cut or trim and charge you for it. However, if your tree damages our lines, you might have to pay for the cost of any damage to the network caused by you not complying with the Regulations.
If you've received a Trim Notice then it will have the contact details of the person at Delta or Asplundh who can help you with any information about the notice.
Call the contact person on your Trim Notice at Delta or Asplundh to discuss your situation. These are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
To ensure your safety and that of the community please return your form as soon as possible so the work can be carried out as quickly as possible.
If you’re declaring no interest, this form must be returned within 10 working days of the notice date.
If you're declaring interest, this form must be returned within 45 working days of notice date.
If you don’t respond to the Trim Notice within 45 working days of receiving it, we will contact you to discuss your options. You may have to pay for us to have the tree cut or trimmed, so it’s in your best interests to promptly respond to this notice.
Our contractors may require access to your property to maintain the tree. By signing your initials you give permission for land entry consent for Delta or Asplundh to undertake these works on your property. If permission is refused and Delta or Asplundh requires access, then the obligation to carry out the work is/can be transferred to you.
If you believe your tree is exempt from The Regulations you can apply for dispensation.
Contact Delta or Asplundh and request more information.
If there is disagreement about the tree's safety or who is liable, this can be taken to arbitration.
WorkSafe has more information on how to do this.
We're sorry the information you're looking for wasn't covered on this page, please get in touch with us to see if we can help.
We recommend you leave it to the professionals!
Use an approved arborist to get your trees and vegetation trimmed.
Check out our approved arboriculture contractors.