Tree trials to commence

SA Power Networks is required to prune trees around powerlines to maintain legislated clearances to ensure community safety. A lot of this pruning involves legacy trees – large trees planted inappropriately under power lines over time. This has resulted in escalating costs of pruning which is passed on to electricity consumers. Legislation relating to the planting of appropriate species of vegetation around electricity infrastructure has been in place since 1988.

We have been working with our Arborist Reference Group and LGA Working Group to develop a long-term approach for ensuring appropriate species selection under powerlines - in order to avoid a legacy of inappropriate vegetation requiring ongoing pruning, at a direct cost to electricity customers.

A number of Local Government Forums were held across the state in March and April to discuss our approach to identifying inappropriate species and ensure a collaborative approach between Councils and SA Power networks is undertaken.

SA Power Networks is partnering with a number of Councils – District Council of Mount Barker, Town of Walkerville and City of Whyalla – to undertake a number of street tree planting trials of species suitable for planting under powerlines.

An Advisory Committee has been established to develop a long-term strategy for appropriate species selection. Membership includes representatives from Green Adelaide, Treenet, the Local Government Association, the Office of the Technical Regulator, SA Water, the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide University, the nursery industry and SA Power Networks.

Kelvin Trimper from SA Power Network’s Arborist Reference Group and Green Adelaide Board, as well as the recently appointed Chair of the new Advisory Committee said

“It is important for Councils, utilities and the nursery industry to be working together to ensure species planted under powerlines deliver good visual and environmental amenity whilst reducing the need for ongoing pruning. If we get it right now we can help keep a lid on the long term costs of pruning for future generations, while continuing to green our town environments.”