Trees and vegetation FAQ

It is either the responsibility of the electricity Distribution Business or your local council. The electricity Distribution Business for your area or your local council will be able to clarify who is responsible for a particular location.

Find the electricity distribution business for your area – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

Electricity Distribution Businesses own and manage the power poles and wires that deliver power to homes and businesses across the state.

Electricity Distribution Businesses are sometimes also called ‘power companies’, ‘electricity distributors’ or ‘distribution businesses’.

Your electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

For a tree growing in your property, it is the responsibility of the electricity Distribution Business to clear that tree around any powerlines outside your property boundary and any service line connecting to a neighbouring property.

Your Electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live  – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

If you think a tree or powerline is unsafe, you must contact the Electricity Distribution Business for your area.

Your Electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

In Hazardous Bushfire Risk Areas trees are typically checked at least once every year. For Low Bushfire Risk Areas the inspection period is typically between one and three years.

If you think a tree or powerline is unsafe, you must contact the Electricity Distribution Business for your area.

Your Electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

Even fallen or broken power lines can conduct electricity and should be considered dangerous. Electricity can kill in an instant, if you feel lives are in danger call 000.

Keep at least 8-10 metres away from any fallen powerlines as you do not have to touch a power line to receive an electric shock.

All incidents involving trees and powerlines are to be reported to the Electricity Distribution Business.

Your electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

You can find more information – see Electrical emergencies

If you have concerns about the safety of a person working around powerlines contact WorkSafe

For a tree growing on your property, you are responsible for clearing that tree around the service line that connects to your house.

For a tree growing in your property boundary, it is the responsibility of the electricity Distribution Business to clear that tree around the service line that connects to your neighbour’s house.

You should clear trees and shrubs from your service line before they grow to within one metre in any direction of that line – see Managing trees near powerlines 

To stay safe you must keep a certain distance away from any powerline. Contact the electricity Distribution Business for your area to speak with someone about safely pruning trees near powerlines.

Your electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)

Energy Safe has specialist advisers who can provide guidance on the requirements of the line clearance rules and Regulations.

See Contact our departments

This depends on who has employed you to complete the tree clearing work.

Electricity Distribution Business and Council vegetation management workers clearing trees from electric lines must be trained in both electricity safety and tree pruning. You can find more information on the requirements for these workers – see Managing trees near powerlines

Private companies and person completing other tree work near electric lines should comply with No Go Zone rules. You can find further information here:

You can also contact WorkSafe.

You must contact the Electricity Distribution Business or the local Council for your area to speak with someone about having trees cleared from around powerlines.

Your Electricity Distribution Business depends on where you live – see Find your energy distributor (Energy Victoria)