Energy Safe Victoria has issued 36 fines to councils and major electricity companies for the failure to keep trees clear of powerlines over the last 12 months.

The powers are an addition to existing regulatory responses such as issuing warnings or prosecutions through the court system, with each fine worth $4,623.

“These fines have allowed us to quickly call out circumstances where electricity companies and councils have failed in their obligations,” Energy Safe chief executive officer Leanne Hughson says.

“They also serve as a deterrent to companies and councils that think they can cut corners.”

Energy Safe Victoria received the powers in June 2022, under the Electricity Safety Act 1998, to issue fines for specific line clearance breaches to reduce community risk.

Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electrocution and power outages, which can lead to property damage and, in serious cases, injury and loss of life.

Twenty-one fines have since been issued to some major electricity companies that are responsible for maintaining trees near powerlines on private land and regional public land. Out of the 21 fines, ten fines were issued to Powercor, six were issued to United Energy and five to AusNet Services.

Councils, which are responsible for maintaining trees near powerlines on urban public land, received 15 fines, including Glen Eira City Council and City of Melbourne each receiving four fines, Maroondah City Council receiving three and Bayside City Council and the City of Casey receiving two.

Energy Safe considers various factors, including the severity of the non-compliance and the responsible person’s conduct, when deciding whether to take enforcement action.

The energy safety regulator is most likely to issue fines when the non-compliance poses a high safety risk and to prosecute for serious or systemic safety issues or where recklessness and negligent conduct can be proved.