Qualified Swan Hill Rural City Council contractors will soon commence trimming of trees located under and around electricity lines in the Swan Hill Township.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Director Infrastructure, Svetla Petkova said the program aims to strike a balance between preserving Swan Hill’s trees and ensuring power safety and reliability.
“Whilst our contractors are committed to protecting the environment, trees and overhead powerlines are a dangerous combination when mixed.
“Trees coming into contact with overhead powerlines pose serious hazards to people, wildlife and the surrounding environment, with potential for bushfires, damage to property, injury and unplanned power outages,” she said.
Ms Petkova said the program will be undertaken by qualified contractors and in compliance with the Australian Standard AS 4373 ‘Pruning of Amenity Trees’ where possible.
“Directional pruning techniques are used that remove branches growing towards a power line to encourage re-growth away from the power network,” she added.
Ms Petkova said that residents may observe harder pruning techniques in some cases or even the complete removal of specific trees to ensure particular vegetation regrowth does not enter the regulatory clearance space in accordance with the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020.
Contractors must comply with appropriate operational protocols developed to ensure contractor and community safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, including complying with all social distancing requirements.
